[hr][center][h2][color=8882be]Prophet[/color][hr][/h2][/center]

The figure on his roof was particularly bored.  She'd been standing there for the past twenty minutes waiting for the lug to show- and in her heart of hearts she just [i]knew[/i] she was better than waiting for some damned man in the dark.  When she finally saw the man she wasted no time.  The dark trench she was told to wear ("don't attract no damn attention till he sees you," Prophet said.. nevermind why) fluttered to the ground and the woman stood scantily clothed- sparkling like a beacon of light for Alek alone.  She motioned toward the alley below seductively, and with that, darted back into the building, presumably heading down to the alley to meet with him.  It was clear, even from a distance that the woman's outfit left little to the imagination and even less room to hide something malignant.  She was a beautiful specimen, cream-colored skin, dark hair in wild curls along her head, and what little she wore suggested supple curves- muscled curves in the right places.  Even her lips held a secretive, seductive smile.  It was gone in a flash, though.. inciting him downstairs to the alley. 

What would he do?  How could he respond to the woman? 

[hr]

[color=8882be]"Jim!  Listen, you and I have a common interest in this city.  Tell me a way we can work together, and we'll meet and get something done.  You know my people are around, I got wind of your issue with the used-to-be crew causing you trouble.  You would have known a week earlier they were plotting on Sabre if we talked more.  That way you wouldn't have had to leave your signature burned all over the streets.  Think about it- come to a club, have a drink, take a load off and lets talk a little business, hmm?" [/color]  Seated in his office, Prophet placed the phone back on the receiver and waited.  This was how business was done- back and forth, messages with implications that could be taken this or that way.  Truth of the the matter was simple: Prophet wasn't focused on the Conduit, so the attack could not have been predicted- but he knew damn well that if Conduit allowed Prophet's network some access.. the man would be protected from scrubs like that.  Conduit flexing his muscles was dangerous for any lesser gang: it meant the man was either hungry or scared, and Prophet decided to ferret out which as soon as possible.  If the man was hungry, he could be useful.  If he was scared, he was vulnerable.  Either way, the game would be played. 
[hr] 

The backroom of the club was smokey, and Prophet was irritable.  Two men lounged in his back ViP room, crowded by a slew of women whose intentions were far from scrupulous.  The stench of alcohol, sweat and weedsmoke permeated the area, and when it was at it's apex, Prophet decided to make his way from the back to the ViP.  He put on a mock-smile.  [color=8882be]"I suppose things are to your liking, yes councilman?  The ladies, the liquor?"[/color]  He hated sounding like a god-damned serving boy, but when in Rome.. use a trojan horse.  

The councilman in question's eyes swam in and out of focus before he could respond.  "Oh.. oh yes Vincent, this is just.."  Just then one of the women in the room (responding to a signal from Prophet) came and sat on the councilman's lap.  "Lovely.. yes.. Mmm"  Skin on skin happened, the sound of a zipper.  "Oh God.."  The councilman murmured. 

[color=8882be]"Our redevelopment deal then... that'll go just as smoothly.."[/color]  His smile was the grin of a snake.. or maybe the Devil himself.  It was in the man to have him killed just as well-- and by the same woman, no less.  She as a ruthless as she was forward.  For now, he nodded just slightly, and she continued- pressing him.. touching him further.

"Yes.. yes.. I'll.. yes of course.  I.. " 

[color=8882be]"Don't try to say anything- You've got other things to worry about now.  Finish up there, and we'll talk about payment.  And.. Bernie... [/color]  A pause for effect as the woman squeezed down onto him... [color=8882be]"Take your time."[/color]  It was too easy.. even though he hated making himself out to be less than he was- being effective was the most important thing.  He needed to be productive in this time.  Expanding his territory was paramount, especially now when other groups were making plays for strength.