MERCHANTS II (Ch. 68)

"It all starts and ends with two things, the badge and the card" Klaus states over the phone,

"I've got a card, no badge though, what exactly are they?" Raven inquires,

"Proof of identity, MERCHANTS operate on a different scale, normal employees have no badge, just ID, contract workers like mercaneries or the low level support staff have a silver one, the executives have a gold one...."

"The one Darwin wore on his suit" Raven interjects,

"Most likely" Klaus replies,

"The VIP member's of MERCHANTS like the president of each affiliate wear a wear a badge made with black jade and gold, while for the VVIP it's made entirely of diamonds, if you want unrestricted access, that's the badge you'll need" Klaus concludes,

"Diamonds?!,How the hell are we supposed to get that?" Warden questions,

"Leave that to me" Raven interjects, "for now help me get Warden in" he continues, scoffing Klaus points to his screen,

'Warden Chase, Foreign underground mercanery', 

"i've managed to infiltrate the data base, i haven't tried anything too intrusive....'yet'!, this should get him through the door, What comes after that is your business, once he's in i'll get you the location" Klaus concludes.

         Raven places a call that thankfully goes through the moment Klaus is off the line, 

"I need a badge".

    HOURS AFTER

 Raven steps into MM HQ once again, though still in a suit, this time he's covered by a hood to block as much of his face as possible, to his side is Warden who's wearing an all black mercanery suit getup with the wire and all, to the other side is Nathan in similar dressing, upon their entrance all the guarding mercaneries salute, one in particular walking up to them to cater to his needs, before the man could speak Raven states his desire,

"The president", nodding lightly he turns leading Raven and co into the elevator, 

"How are operations?" Raven inquires vaguely,

"They're going quite well sir, the 'products' have been behaving though two if our newest acquisitions have proven to be difficult, i'm sure they'll fall in line after a bit if 'discipline' those sick viewers like that kind of thing afterall" the man concludes unaware of the sheer magnitude and will it takes the three predators behind him from destroying him, 

"I see" Raven forces out, "be sure to do that, infact, I'd like to see these 'products' myself"

"We've already notified the president of your arrival, he'll be with you shortly" the man replies, while leading them to the presidents office.

       Darwin stands hands behind his back as he looks toward the fourth affliate president, MM, a short bald and bulky teen who is half naked and covered in tattoos, 

"You fucking idiot!" he growls, "I don't care how you do it deal with that guy!",

"Sir doing so will incure the wrath of forces we cannot contend with" Darwin calmly replies,

"I don't care!, Find a bloody way then!, How am i meant to tell the big boss that we've been compromised?! Hmm?!, Just bloody fix it!" He growls before turning to exit while cursing his luck at a VVIP's appearance during the current crisis, Darwin exhales frowning deeply as he ponders the next course of action when one of his many guards in action walks up towards him,

"Sir, a VVIP is currently present at the president's office",

"I see, this is quite poor luck to have" he replies apathetically on the matter to which the latter nods, Darwin glances at the ferrari parked center of the giant display room he currently stood in pondering briefly on either staying or leaving.

   Raven unsure on if to sit at the president's chair or the guests remains standing hands in his trouser pockets as Nathan and Warden take guard on either side, shortly later the president steps in,

"It's a pleasure to have a man of your standing here with us, my name is Dorkan Sarach president of MM. I welcome you to the fourth affliate of the MERCHANTS CONGLOMERATE" he states stretching his hand forward. Raven takes it mirroring his strength while maintaining a stoic expression, 

"I'm here on orders from the top to inspect the 'products' as well as how operations are proceeding", Dorkan's expression stiffens momentarily before morphing into a smile, 

"Of course" he replies leading the way. The three arrive at the elevator and on their way down Silver bellows into his mind,

{Here!}, 

(What?) Raven questions,

{They've merged the floors, it's the fifth floor, it's probably only accessible through the elevator},

(How'd you find it?), 

{Surprisingly, he's not a Shifter, that allows me to spread a wave of 'Force' out as the elevator makes it's way down} Silver states.

     True to Silver's words the elevator comes to a halt, beyond the now open doors is a maze of cube like containers roughly of the same size, 

{Living quarters},

(Cells) he growls,

"Huh?" An older teen with his hair top dyed blonde and the root's his natural brown steps through the mazes main entry before halting at the end of the hall, Jhon Wuu stares at Raven intently just before his smile grows cynical, 

"I think it's best we speak in private" Raven calls out, "take us to Darwin's office",

"I was just on my way there myself" Jhon replies grinning manaically, the two follow Raven back into the elevator with Jhon, Dorkan and a short middle aged mercanery in reading frames, the two hold the urge to act but a harsh glance from Raven forces them to calm down.

  Upon arriving at Darwin's office Raven finds himself seated opposite Jhon with Dorkan dismissed by Wuu, Warden and Nathan are free to split up and re-discover the hidden floor,

"I've heared a lot about you from Vin" Wuu muses, "you're his bewest toy, it quite makes me want to break you" he smirks , "i'll tell you this because you're his successor, once his hooked it doesn't matter weather you're a guy or girl, he'll have you both go at it like crazy bunnies" he replies smiling ambiguously, Raven ignores his attempt to unerve him picking the main point,

"There was a female candidate?" He questions,

"Oh yes there was, what was her name again, Mary?, Martha?, Ahh!, Mari!" Jhon snaps, "it was a lost cause though, she suddenly moved states and disappared into thing air" he concludes as Raven wrestles his shifting facial expression into submission, 

"So!, Getting rid of the four major crews is your succession exam, you should know though that MERCHANTS are far from what you're capable of handling, even 'he' can't get rid of them now" Jhon states walking up to Raven,

"Are they that much of a thorn in Hide's side?, I might just leave them be then" Raven jokes, Jhon's smile falters momentarily before recalling Raven's involvement with several incidents, 

"How about this, become my secret friend and i'll help you out hmm?"

"I've already made up my mind to be Vin's successor" he replies, 

"That's a shame" Jhon mutters, "you know, i really hate liars" he grins as Raven jumps to the side as the other guest chair crashes into his seat, seeing this Jhon frowns before glancing at the time on his watch, "a shame, it seems this will take to much from my tight schedule" he states looking genuinely dispirited as he turns away and exits. 

        Warden heads into the elevator shocked to find the five seven tall man with glasses still guarding the elevator, on his suit is a silver circular badge roughly just the size of a button, on it is a large M, Warden worn and tired of the eggshell play stares down the guard,

"take me to the hidden floor" he states,

"Where is the VVIP?" He inquires,

"He's busy right now, there's no need to worry about him, what you have to worry about infact, is me!" He growls pulling his suit jacket off, 

"I know you" the mercanery states, "you're related to those two, those girls who came in" he states, 

"Take me to them and you live" Warden commands. Much to the amusement of the man, 

"You're twenty five year's to late to be telling me that young man" he replies, "it seems even that VVIP is a fake, i'll have to repo.." the man guards against Wardens fist that crashes him into the elevator wall, 

"You talk to much, i'll just have to beat it out of you!" He declares.

  Nathan watches with apathy as his surrounded by several members of MM's security team, 

(It seems Raven was right, the others should be going after Warden, so far it's gone according to plan, i hope you know what the hell you're doing Voss) he mules sides stepping a fist aimed at him before promptly pulling out his baton,

(First, i have to clean up the trash), he grin smashing the titanium steel bat into the groin of the ass assailant behind him frowning deeply as the numbers of assailants continue to rise.