Lily paused to thumb a piece of paper out of her folio and spin it across the desk to him.
“I took the liberty of purchasing a parking garage. It used to have an attached office. We’ve already started to convert it to a mechanic shop and housing location. It’s only a street away from here, so it’s nice and close.
“Most of our fabricators who can’t help out here are already holed up there. Everything is now closed to the public, and cars purchased at the shops are taken there.
“If you plan on expanding our purchases, do it in that direction so we can link everything up.”
Felix nodded his head. The return on cars would be rather large since he didn’t have to technically pay his people the normal amounts you would for a mechanic. “Nice. That sounds fun. We should use it as a way to start purchasing company cars as well.”
“On it. On the second page there in front of you, I’ve assembled a list of cars to be purchased at market value if they’re presented so we can convert them. Apparently, word spread quickly and people have been bringing cars in here. All purchased vehicles that fit the criteria are being stored in the parking garage.”
“Huh. Lily, you’re amazing.” Felix gave her a grin, leaning forward.
The immaculately put-together woman blushed and looked to the side, her hands folding into her lap. “Thank you. I admit I’m enjoying corporate life. It’s… straightforward.”
Letting her off the hook with that, he looked to Andrea.
“Armory and arsenal are being stocked. Most of the weapons we’re purchasing from No-Name and Dimitry.
“We’re focusing on SMGs and pistols to get everyone trained quickly and have a common talent pool. Though we have set aside a budget for rifles once we have everyone equipped. Rifles cost more and require a bit more training.
“Uhm, for gear, we’re looking into defense contractors. Vests, helmets, everything, all needs to be above military grade. Investing in the gear will keep your living investments safe.”
Makes sense.
“Good show, Andrea. Your skills as Myriad are definitely showing through.”
Andrea gave him a bright grin and leaned forward in her chair towards him, her tail sliding up from behind her to wag slowly.
“Miu?”
“Facilities and internal security are up and running. We have requisition orders for everything we need, but all should be well in a matter of weeks. Ioana has created an extensive training program, and we’ll be fielding our agents from her security teams.”
Ioana nodded her head approvingly at that.
“I’d like to put that indentured service program in place for security. We can purchase mercenary contracts with limiting factors dictated by our HR department. They can sign deals with our resident magician that would bind their soul to ensure cooperation and secrecy.”
“Huh. That’s a great idea. I approve of that. Let’s get that one rolling. That’d be a good way to shore up our manpower and maybe get you a few more trainers, Ioana.”
The big woman slowly nodded her head. “It would help.”
“Great. That seems like everything. What’s next on the agenda?”
Kit picked up a box of something from beside her and dropped it into the center of the table.
In the box were two crowns, and several bracelets. They all looked very similar to the one Dimitry’s boss had been wearing.
“We were able to collect these from your attackers.”
Ah. They haven’t given up.
Chapter 18 - Power and Debt -
“So,” Felix started, drumming his fingers along the table. “From home invasions to mid-day assassinations. I’d say someone really doesn’t like me.”
Ioana snorted at that and gestured to the box. “That’s putting it mildly.”
Kit pulled out one of the bracelets and laid it on the table.
“It’s quality workmanship. Imbued with a high level of psychic defense.
“I couldn’t break through to them when they were wearing the crown. I can’t confirm it, but I’m betting the bracelet does the same thing, perhaps at a lower power, though.”
Kit fingered the enchanted item and nudged it to the side an inch.
“That and the ability to control whoever is wearing it. I would suggest we let no one wear these, even to test them. I wouldn’t want to find out simply because we’re not sure how that mind control part of it activates. It would be rather awful to have someone suddenly being controlled by our enemy.”
Felix sighed set his elbow down on the table, resting his chin in his palm. “Alright. Do we know anything? The one time we had a chance at information, he killed himself.”
“Not a thing,” Lily said, spreading her hands out in front of her in apology. “All we can do is wait for them to make a mistake. Or capture one alive before they can end their own life. For that to work, we’d have to incapacitate them before they could do anything, though.”
Felicia slapped an open hand on the table. “What about nonlethal? Lots of that on the marketplace. I’ll see what the lab can whip up and maybe we can catch a break.”
“So long as we don’t risk ourselves doing it,” Felix said after a second. “It isn’t worth someone dying over it to find out that whoever is doing this was smart enough to keep themselves hidden just in case.
“I mean, really now, do we honestly think that whoever is smart enough to do all this, keeping themselves in the shadows, would go to such lengths only to let someone see them because they’re wearing a suicide device?”
Everyone sobered at that, frowns and creased brows spreading around the room.
“That’s a good point,” Lily murmured. “It’s easier to believe our opponent is foolish or stupid.”
Felix shrugged his shoulders with a wince. “Works out in my favor when I believe my enemies are smarter than I am. Overpreparation isn’t a terrible thing.”
Looking around the room, he met each person’s eyes before looking back to the box.
“I suppose all we can do for now is prepare and be ready. If there’s nothing else to be taken care of, I think I should probably go over the upgrades for the building and get back to laying golden eggs.
“All that sleep put me behind considerably.”
Andrea stood up quickly, sending her chair tumbling as she scampered out of the room on whatever wild thought had taken hold of her.
Miu retreated to a quiet corner of the room while Ioana and Felicia left together.
Kit and Lily looked at one another, then to Felix.
“Either you both need to talk to me privately, or you’re working on the same problem from different angles,” Felix said, looking from one to the other.
“You go first, Lilian,” Kit offered, adjusting herself in her seat.
The sorceress looked to Kit and then shrugged. “We’ve gotten an emergency meeting request from Reznik, Blacketer, and Troy.”
Felix quirked his brows at that.
“I’m not sure what they want, but they barred it to anyone who isn’t legal counsel for yourself. Thankfully, I’ve been reinstated and my team is actually rather… accomplished.” Lily gave him a bright smile, leaning forward on the table and tapping her folio.
“Glad to hear that. Did we have to drop a hefty bribe to get your license back?” Felix asked, curious.
“Not really. It only took the simple promise that I never head back to my home city. Which isn’t a problem, since I cleared out my lair and don’t plan on going back.”
“Hm. Alright, set up the meeting. Sooner the better. I know it’s out of nowhere and we have no way of knowing what they want, but prepare the best you can for it.”
“Done. Thanks, Felix. You’re a doll.” Lily stood up, gathered her folio, and slipped out of the room.
Looking to Kit, Felix scrunched his face up in confusion. “Doll?”
“She likes you. Feels like you value her for who she is, rather than what she is,” Kit explained.
“I do. Not a hard thing to do when she’s as talented as she is,” Felix said a touch skeptically.