[center][h1]Milo Ventri[/h1][/center]

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	Milo was panting hard, sweat was dripping and his leg felt like giving out, but he kept his ground, across from him was a man covered head to toe in padded armor, a large sword hoisted over his head, it had been years since the last time he had been in this position, the heat of his armor and the weight of the blade in his hand, these were the days he had missed, so much of his life had died when he left home though here he was finally starting to feel like himself again. Milo took a deep breath as the man approached, he held fast to the sword in his own hand, turned on his heel and as the man stepped in to strike at his head, Milo deflected and struck across the mans back, the whistle blew and the match was over, Milo had lost a lot of mobility, but it was evident none the less why he had won so many tournaments.

	[color=0072bc]"Wow man, I haven't seen swordplay like that other than the movies."[/color] the young opponent removed his helmet and held out his hand to Milo to congratulate him. [color=0072bc]"Really, I am stoked you came out, when you called I swear I thought it was so cool that you wanted to come practice with us, I mean I saw you fight a few years back in delta, man that was awesome."[/color] 

	Milo nodded, the kids enthusiasm was not as contagious as he would have hoped, though the guy was nice enough but he was ten years younger than Milo and had not been beaten within an inch of his life yet. [color=f26522]"Just nice to know I can still get some practice in."[/color] Milo was putting away his gear while the guy kept talking, the boy was a chatterbox, and he always spoke way to loud. Milo felt bad for the kid only because the only time he wasn't talking was the moments after being struck, only giving Milo the incentive to hit him more. Milo had found a Hema group that was happy to have him train with them, they were able to use one of the rooms at the local gym. Milo left the ring and went to actually put in some exercise time, barbell, leg work, a full work out with a focus on leg mobility.

	Milo left the gym and took out his cell phone, he had tried to call Vika after everything that had happened, but he didn't get a response, if she wasn't going to let him explain, he just wouldn't, with how she reacted and the huge gash she dug into Paige's car, Milo was a bit concerned about what it was she was wanting. Milo had no messages or calls however, today was some big race that she had mentioned, like hell he was just going to go without so much as a hello in days. Milo was about to put away his phone when it rang, it was Jackie, great, this was what he was waiting for, a chance to clean up the mess he left himself in. 

	[color=39b54a]"Hey buddy, how you been Milo?"[/color] The grease was almost oozing from the phone as the man talked.

	[color=f26522]"Was great, how do you plan to fix it?"[/color] Milo tried to keep his tone even and as normal as ever. the last thing Milo wanted was to have him catch on that he was up to something.

	[color=39b54a]"Well you see, here is the long and skinny of it, I need a new handgun, that one you made me before, my employers were so happy with it, that they feel like they need a second, you know the one, the big one."[/color] Jackie didn't know that Milo had the first one now, he was trying to play it like he still had it. "I know you said you wouldn't do it anymore, but come on, I know you need the cash."

	[color=f26522]"Jackie, I don't really need the cash, and you know that it's illegal and I don't want to do it anymore."[/color] Same song and dance they always play, but this time it should have a different end.

	[color=39b54a]"Come on, what if I sweeten the pot?"[/color] Jackie said with a strong inflection, Milo hadn't heard him try to bargain like this, what could he offer him that he would take? [color=39b54a]"So look, I know you have been real sore about it, but my employers, they really like your work, they want you on full time Milo, no joke, work with me on this and you can get some real perks, they aren't just offering cash or dope here. You need a rival shop shut down? Done. Pesky ex? Done. Trouble with the authorities? ...Done."[/color] Milo was shocked, was he serious? Paying off a debt was one thing, but working for them, what did Jackie think he meant when he said he wanted nothing more to do with this. [color=39b54a]"What do you say buddy? Show the big wigs that you got the chops."[/color]

	Milo wasn't happy about it, but this was the plan, he had to go along with it. [color=f26522]"I do this, and you're saying that your 'employers' are gonna back me up mafia style?"
[/color]

	[color=39b54a]"Day of my daughters wedding and all my friend."[/color] Jackie retorted, honestly this wasn't a bad deal on the surface, and Milo might have taken it a month ago, but times are different.

	[color=f26522]"Alright, swing by and we will talk over the design, five pm yeah?"[/color] Milo told him as he tried to sound defeated, even though this was the goal all along.

	[color=39b54a]"That's my boy. Five sharp, make sure you're there, and hopefully not bleeding."[/color] the man laughed as the two hung up.

	Milo scrolled through his contacts, he got to Paige's name and gave he a call, she need to know what was going on, and that he had set the time, she didn't have a ton of time to prepare so hopefully she wasn't too busy, but if she didn't show, he may end up with either a bigger problem or a body.

[@Pilatus][@PrinceAlexus]