Evershade Dominion

Being crazy is better with friends!

January 14th, 2004 7:23 P.M.

The Marked Raven Bar, Dystopian Terminals, Dystopia

I sat at the bar swirling around the mug I was holding that was a quarter full of beer, staring into it like it was the most interesting thing in the world as I awaited my companions while attending to another. After a few minutes of silence between the two of us I finally spoke. “It will be a few months before I return again.”

The hooded figure next to me slightly nodded their head, “I know Solstice, and I don’t suppose we can convince you to stay this time around?” they asked. I shook my head underneath my cowl.

“If I do this contract, it could mean a whole new beginning.”

“A whole new beginning for what? A life of servitude to the crown again?”

I let out a light chuckle, reliving some of the tension. “No no no, for the mercenaries.” I said as I could feel him hold his breath, waiting for me to speak further.

After a few minutes of me not saying anything he finally spoke, “What do ya mean by that? The contract being the means of a new beginning?” I looked over at him from under my cowl, seeing a glint in his eyes. The eyes that had seen a great many things within their lifetime from the rise and fall of the grand tribes, the founding of the Mercenaries and their sudden and abrupt fall from grace.

I smiled at him, “500,000” I said plain as day as he grabbed my shoulders.

“500,000 BITS?!” He whispered harshly as he looked around to make sure no one heard him. I nodded my head in confirmation. “But that’s…”

“Enough to register as an official guild and to get us the equipment we need to start taking in recruits.” the words, coming from even my mouth, were something that I could hardly believe. Nezmuth was the first Mercenary in known history and was the one who created the first Mercenary guild, Mooncry. As the world moved on into the future, Mercenary guilds turned into private militaries that hired themselves out to the highest bidder. Eventually those private militaries started to assimilate with the royal military. In turn, Mercenary guilds essentially became obsolete as per the leaders of many countries so an act was passed, any mercenaries were to either be executed or join the royal army.

Many guilds chose to fight back but were simply under-equipped and were eliminated by royal and private forces. Those that did escape fled to Dystopia in hopes of living out the rest of their lives in service of themselves. Many abandoned the Mercenary code and way of life, those who didn’t became like me and Nezmuth. Sadly of all those who did come here only five, all members of Mooncry, chose to continue their lives as mercenaries even if it was punishable by death outside of Utopia and Dystopia. I became the sixth Mercenary when I fled to Dystopia when I killed my brother those many years ago.

With the money I would get from this contract, I would be able to register as an official Utopian Guild. Utopia was completely separate from the rest of the world, even from international laws. Utopia is essentially the mother of the other countries of the world as it is the oldest civilization known to Equus kind. Although a true Utopian has not been seen in several hundred years, those that you see today are nothing but artificial constructs made of gemstone.

I could feel the happiness radiating off of Nezmuth as he beamed with fire illuminating the back of his throat. It was a lot colder down here in Dystopia than it was in Utopia, so this was how dragons usually kept warm by keeping a small fire burning in the back of their throat.

“I already know what you want to ask and as long as you don’t screw me over I will allow you to run the guild.” he smiled and went to hug me but I put a knife to his throat. “First off, don’t touch me. Second off, if you do end up screwing me over, there will be one less Mercenary in this world whether it be you or me. Got it?” I warned him as he put his hands up and nodded. Although he is a dragon who could more than likely easily snap me like a twig, he knew how evil I could be in taking people down.

The doors to the bar were thrust open, causing me and Nezmuth’s attention to shift and our demeanors change. I had already put my knife back into its sheath but my hand was already at it again. I relaxed slightly as I realized who it was, even underneath their guard armor I could tell by how they presented themselves. Cocky and arrogant, ready for a fight. Nezmuth stood up and walked over to them.

“The fuck are the queens guard dogs doing here? Ya ain’t supposed to be down here lest its a time of crisis and I ain’t hear no sirens blaring up above.” he confronted them with hatred. Nezmuth hated the Utopian royal army for a few reasons, primarily because they took his son into service when they arrived. More so his son volunteered than was forced, but Nezmuth saw it as otherwise.

Milo glared at Nezmuth from under his helmet as he opened up a satchel on his side, pulling out a temporary license that allowed him passage into Dystopia. The others beside him produced the same licenses. “We’re here on personal business, unless you know where a Lost Solstice is then please stand aside.”

“And what if I say no?” Nezmuth growled at Milo as I stood up and started to slowly walk over to them. I saw Milos hand clench into a fist, causing me to run at him.

I caught the fist right before it connected with Nezmuths jaw and quickly threw a jab into his stomach. “First off Milo, you are not to come into my bar and start trouble just because you’re too fucking cocky. Second off, Elder could rip you limb from limb and use your bones as toothpicks. And lastly,” I hit him with an uppercut into his jaw that sent him flying backwards out of the bar. “I don’t care if you’re here on business or not, no Utopian guards or royalty are allowed in this bar.” I walked over to him and held a hand out to him as he rubbed his chin and stood up without me.

He glared at me, “Well then, I shall have to remember that the next time you tell me to come here. Are we just going to sit here dawdling or are we gonna get going? The ship leaves in an hour.” he informed me as I shook my head.

“Ugh, and you know there is a quicker way, correct?” I said as he gave me a questioning look. I shook my head. Although I had taken the boat home to Utopia, getting out of Utopia and to my destination took seconds because of the teleporter we had. It was the creation of our supplier in the Grathalen district of Dystopia, smart critter who rivaled Equestria’s greatest scientist. The mercenaries made good friends with her so that we could get the best supplies we could to carry out our jobs.

“Alright, follow me. If you bought your tickets, I will refund them to you in full and a little extra when this contract is over.” I said as I started walking back into the bar where they stopped at the front door. “This is the one time I will allow you into this bar, do not tell anyone of what you see in here or I will kill you the moment I hear of your betrayal.” I gave them a dead serious look as they each nodded.

Nezmuth stood aside from the door glaring at them as they walked inside and up the stairs towards me. “First things first, which one of you has the wire?” I asked plain as day as they looked at me with questioning looks. “You know I used to be a part of the military and the leader of your squad at that, so who has the wire? There is no point in lying to me.” I said flatly as an unfamiliar face stepped forwards.

“I..I do.” they stammered out.

“Who might you be?” I asked as he looked over at Milo who nodded to him.

“I’m...I’m Lance Corporal Luck, sir.” he replied hesitantly as I nodded and held my hand out.

“Let me see the wire Luck.” I demanded as Milo put his arm in front of him.

“You will not be getting the wire Lost Solstice, you know as well as I do that we can’t.” he growled in defiance as I looked down on him before smiling.

“You honestly think I care Milo? I don’t use royal military devices, no Mercenary does. When I work in a team I issue each member their own communications device that can double as a wire. So please, cooperate.” I stated as he glared at me. He went to speak but I cut him off, “Be careful with your next words Milo, your Queen is on limited time.” I reminded him as he growled in defeat.

He put his arm down and growled through clenched teeth, “Give him the wire Lance Corporal.”

Luck quickly did as he was told and handed me the wire. “Alright, come on.” I said as I turned and walked up the stairs towards the end of the hallway, pressing the eye of the painting at the end. We were teleported into the supply room where the teleporter and other devices were being stored. I walked over to a rack and grabbed five supply lists, proceeding to hand one to each of the squad members.

“Make sure you only grab what is on this supply list, as of today until this contract is over each of you are a Mercenary. You are to follow my orders to the point without question, if you defy them you will quickly be dealt with. We will do what we must to get the job done even if that means sacrificing one of us in the process. When this contract is over, you may return to your own line of work but if you speak of any confidential secrets of the mercenaries you will be hunted down and terminated with utmost prejudice whether you are former friend or otherwise.”

“You do not and will not speak of anything you have seen within this bar, if you do I will kill you on the spot. If you try to steal any information post contract I will kill you. I have no tolerance for bullshit so do not fuck with me or I will kill you. Do I make myself clear?” I finished as they all looked at me with stern faces. Milo was the first one to do a salute, showing his understanding and allegiance for the time being.

One by one each of them did the same until they were all standing in a salute. “Do you have any questions?” I asked as Milo stepped forward.

“Will we be harming any civilians during this operation Lost Solstice?” he asked as I gave him a dead stare.

“Just because Mercenaries operate outside of the law here in Dystopia doesn’t mean we’re cold blooded psychopaths. We kill only those who are necessary, if we get into a quarrel with their pawns we will do the best we can to subdue them. If it is impossible to subdue them, then you have permission to kill.” I replied. “And please, don’t salute or stand at attention or any of that crap, you’re a Mercenary now not a Royal Guard.” I reminded them all as they dropped their salute and stood normally.

“Get your supplies ready, we’re heading out in five minutes.” I stated as I walked over to a wall labeled with my name, grabbing onto the latch and opening it. Inside was my leather chestplate and cloak along with all my other supplies. I heard Milo whistle from behind me.

“And you told us to only grab what was on the supply list.” He joked as I rolled my eyes and put on my armor and sheaths for my supplies.

“Those supplies were paid for by each mercenary donating 90% of their contract money each time a contract was completed. I saved what money I did get during my first contracts to purchase this customized equipment just as each of the others have. The payment from my recent contract was 20,000 bits Milo, I only kept 2,000 bits and donated the rest into the revenue for new supplies. Want to know where that 18,000 is already?” I asked.

“Sure, I would love to know.” He replied snarkily.

I pointed to the wall where Luck was pulling a rifle off the wall. “It went towards repairing those rifles and the upkeep of this bar. So be grateful that I’m even allowing you to use the equipment that we risked our lives for in jobs the government is too scared to pull off.” he clenched his fists at my final words, indicating that I had struck a nerve on him. The others just frowned at me in distaste.

“Whether you all like it or not, you need us. If you go in alone, you will be killed and there will be war with the entirety of Equus, especially with it being an attack on Equestria.” I reminded them as Milo scoffed at me.

“And whether you like it or not Lionel Varellian, you wouldn’t be able to do it alone either. So we will do things by my rules or not at all and this contract will be terminated.” he said with a grin like he had won.

I pulled a throwing knife out and threw it into his left thigh, proceeding to launch three more into each limb, making him yowl in pain. “Who in the fuck do you think you are Milo?” I growled as I unsheathed my sword and put it to his neck as he laid on his back. “I don’t need any of you pricks to carry out this contract. Remember I said don’t tolerate bullshit Milo?” I brought the sword high above my head and brought it down on his neck, cutting his head clean off. “I meant it.” I growled as I looked around at the horrified faces of his comrades.

“Put all the supplies you have gathered back and get the hell out of my bar. My previous order still stands, you tell anybody of what you saw here and I will hunt you down. Get this filthy cat out of my bar as well.” I growled angrily with hatred in my eyes as one of them charged me yelling.

“YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO KILL HIM YOU BASTARD!” they yelled to me as I pushed them back.

“NEZMUTH, MASANE, ASTRAEUS, ONYX! GET THESE RODENTS OUT OF HERE!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, no sooner did Nezmuth come bursting through the door and straight into the guard that had attacked me. He quickly knocked him out and used his unconcious body to knock out two more of the guards. The last one left standing was Lance Corporal Luck who stood in the corner shaking up a storm as Nezmuth approached him. “Leave him Nezmuth.” I demanded as Nezmuth looked back at me with blood lust in his eyes but it quickly faded as I looked at him calmly.

He nodded his head and backed away as three other creatures, a centaur, griffin, and unicorn, came into the room ready for a fight. I walked over to the cowering Luck who held his sword at arms length towards me. The rest of the mercenaries stood silent as I pushed his sword down and yanked it from his hands. “Why do you cower in fear Lance Corporal?” I asked calmly as he stood there shaking.

“Y-y-you ju-just killed him a-and wiped out my e-entire squad.” he replied fearfully as I nodded my head.

“Hold onto this memory Lance Corporal Luck, let it remind you of the cruelties this world has to offer you. Let it remind you to listen to your superiors no matter how inane the order may be, for it may very well save your life.” I said with a malicious grin as I used the butt end of the sword to knock him out.

“Masane and Astraeus, dispose of the body and take these unconscious fools to the Dystopian entrance. Nezmuth and Onyx, you’re with me so hurry and gather your stuff.” I ordered them as they all listened without question.

Within minutes we were geared up and standing on the teleporter; entering the destination on the console. “Where are we going Solstice?” Onyx asked as I looked back at him over my shoulder.

“To start a war with Equestria, where the hell else?!” I exclaimed crazily as they both shook their head as I pressed enter on the keyboard and the teleporter revved to life and made us disappear in a quiet pop.