Johnny watched his coat leave Hel, and fall to the earth in an ungainly heap, resting in the dead grass beneath them. Johnny was a business man man first and foremost, one who preferred the free market of the Ashland because that's where he thrived. Beneath this was a psychopath who truly found no place to exercise his penchant for domination and cruelty within Erubesco's walls. He fixed his gaze on little Hel first, his voice was low, a threat carried in its tone. [color=yellow]"I left you in charge of my coat little girl. Now, you better go get Uncle Johnny's coat or he's going to be very, very pissed off."[/color] 

John's eyes moved back up toward Toby, and some newcomer who wasn't on his list of VIP's he absolutely needed to have in his employ/enslavement. With their guns. Pistols no less. Little men and their little guns, aimed at a giant. No, their world. That's what Johnny believed he'd become to them. Consuming everything in their lives until he was all that was left. 

Maybe he'd make an example of that mercenary in the front. John knew who he was. He had been handed a dossier of mercs in the area before he arrived. He'd strike him off of the possible employment list. Actually, John might strike him off the life list. He had no use for a merc, and those sluts were a dime a dozen out here. 

[color=yellow]"Miss [i]Dawn[/i]"[/color] The crown jewel of the Wanderers. Her cooperation was paramount. [color=yellow]"Come, both of you. You guys just have to hear this fucking [i]pitch[/i]."[/color]

 
Eld's scream ripped his attention away, and the sublime sound of torment pushed his eyes open wide, and forced a rather maniacal, growing open mouthed grin on Johnny's face. Eld was fucking powerful, he was the outlier in all of this, with no cost efficient ways of controlling him outside the space other than killing him. 

Suffice to say, this man left behind once Eld's power had been dispersed was much different. Quite familiar. John had enjoyed a classical educated of course, like anyone who hailed from a Lord family, perhaps if he hadn't been so preoccupied with his own vices, he'd have immediately recognized who the man in front of him was.

He spoke. Mr Hathaway. 

No fucking way.

Talk about an unexpected bonus. 

Eld's worth had just been bumped up several rungs on the ladder. Maybe well worth the overhead costs. 

[color=yellow]"Yes, come here. You know a good deal when you see one. You know what Johnny can do for you."[/color] The respect and subservience really did it for him. Nicodemus was reward by Johnny helping him up from the ground. [color=yellow]"Come stand at my right side."[/color]

Percival had joined them, face smeared with paint as he expected. He'd make a good Jester for his would be court. This was good, this was enough representation.

[color=yellow]"First item on the list, and I hate repeating myself, my words are precious, shape lives and are wasted saying the same thing twice. when I first came here I said I always negotiated from a position of [i]power[/i] key word here.[/yellow]

John threw his hand into the air, and snapped his fingers. Metal slots slid open on the trucks sides, and gun barrels poked out like spines on a bristling hedgehog. 

[color=yellow]"Still on item one, 1QFJ 123-678"[/color] John called out the coordinates, which the operator in the truck relayed to a shelling team quite some ways away. 

A faint whistle could be heard in the air, then nothing. About a quarter mile out, a shell appeared less than a meter from the ground, and upon impact, ripped the earth beneath it with a mighty roar, obliterating the the surrounding area in a flash of light. 

[color=yellow]"Tactical Nuke. Anything happens to me, and you all become shadows on the wall while I speed away in my little beauty here. So how's about we put the p-shooters down and talk like adults.[/color]

[color=yellow]"Now, item two, the pitch."[/color]

[color=yellow]"I come here with a generous offer, thee best offer this motley crew has ever gotten. An offer for and of gainful employment. Nicodemus here is employee one, and looking like employee of the month."[/color]

[color=yellow]"You'll receive salary, a fixed and rather generous amount in the currency of your choosing, housing in well, it's cute what you've rigged here but under my employ you'll be staying in premier housing. Hot water, electricity, entertainment, virtual reality, you name it, we got it. Vacation time, and always the opportunity to go up, up up!"[/color]

[color=yellow]"I can swing amnesty with a Lords pardon here and there, and you'll have the privilege of answering directly to me, and my lovely assistant Mags, with all the unspoken perks from being a few steps away from my inner circle. You're all on the wrong end rn, imagine being on the right end. My end."[/color] 

[color=yellow]"Imagine for a moment, close your eyes if you lack imagination, that after years, and years of getting fucked by everyone from the Wasters, to the Knights and the Agents, think of everyone who's ever fucked you, imagine doing the fucking for once. Can't get fucked if you're busy fucking everyone else Wanderers."[/color] He tapped his temple. 

[color=yellow]"I ain't a bad boss. Firm, but fucking fair. I'm not giving you a way out in some bullshit military program, but I am coercing the fuck out of you with riches, power and influence."[/color]

[color=yellow]"Don't answer all at once, think about this, because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can make you lot Queens and Kings, who answer only to me. Now. If you turn down my generosity, cast my good will aside like a jacket made from the finest shifter fur.[/color]

[color=yellow]"Well, then you'll wind up at the bottom of the totem pole. Slaves with collars around your neck and nothing but pride in your stomach, and let me tell you. Pride don't last forever. Once your pride poof, floats away? Once thirst and starvation sets in, you'll find yourself giving whatever shreds of decency you have left for scraps off of my plate. I'll chase you, hound you and break your spirits and sell you to the highest bidder from Capital City, to Capital City.[/color]

[color=yellow]"So. Do you wish to be at my right side? Like Nicodemus here? Or my wrong side. I mean, to me the choice is pretty fucking clear.[/color]