Backroom Dealings

As the car navigated the evening streets of Vale, and with coffee cup in hand, Gray sent a message to Junior.

Cypher: Junior, I will be arriving soon. I have something important to discuss. Roman will be coming shortly after.

The response from Junior was almost immediate.

Junior: Understood. I'll be waiting.

With the arrangements made, Gray settled into the seat and sipped his coffee. The average beverage from a fast-food joint had that scalding heat that kept him from gulping it straight. The heat was pretty nice going down his throat, though.

Upon arrival, Gray noticed that the club was open for business now. The line of patrons eager to enjoy the night's festivities had been absent on his previous visit. Any signs of Yang’s damage were now gone.

Gray told the driver that he wouldn’t need his services anymore and stepped out of the car. His hood was still up, and his face still shrouded in shadows. The car drove off and he was now alone.

He threw his empty coffee cup in a nearby trash can and headed over to the front of the line.

As he approached the entrance, the doorman eyed him warily, his gaze lingering on the shadowed portion of his face. Gray leaned in and uttered his code-name. The doorman nodded, his expression unquestioning as he radioed ahead, alerting the staff to Gray's arrival.

The music pulsed through the air, a vibrant mix of lights and sounds that enveloped Gray as he stepped inside. He felt the thumping in his chest and throat as he made his way down the stairs. The dance floor was a sea of writhing bodies, lost in the rhythm and the moment. He stood at the edge of the floor, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

As he stood there, enjoying the vibe of the club, he felt a presence approaching him from the side. He turned to look and saw the Malachite Twins sauntering over to him. They paused when they saw his shadowed face but recovered quickly.

"Good evening.” The one in red murmured with a mix of flirtation and caution.

"Junior is waiting for you in his office." The one in white informed him, still in that odd mix of sultry and watchful.

Gray nodded, “Lead the way, ladies.”

A small smile played at the corners of his mouth as the twins eyed him before turning around. He allowed the twins to escort him through the crowd, enjoying the sight of their swaying hips. It was only halfway through the dance floor that he realized that they probably couldn’t see where his eyes were looking. Or the pervy smirk he had on.

The twins led him to the office. As they approached the door, Gray had a flash of thought. He looked back at the club floor around him and wondered if he could maybe bring his girls here in the future. That way he could indulge in club sex with his girls in sexy party clothes.

Though, he would prefer to have a more private area, like a room with a bar and poles for pole dancing. It didn’t look like this place had any such private rooms though. Maybe he could run that by Junior another time.

---

Gray stepped into Junior's office, the door closing softly behind him as he was greeted by the club owner himself. The Malachite Twins, with their usual grace, seated themselves on a couch against the wall.

Junior also took note of the shadows covering Gray’s face but didn’t call any more attention to it.

Ever the gracious host, he made some small talk; his tone a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "Cypher, it's always a pleasure." He began. "What brings you to my humble establishment today? Or should we wait for Roman to arrive before we begin?"

Gray considered the question as he sat down in a chair facing Junior’s desk. "I don't mind sharing some of what I have in mind before Roman gets here." He said, gathering his thoughts. "I'm here to let you in on what could be the biggest business venture you've ever been a part of."

Junior's expression shifted from curiosity to intrigue.

"I'm listening." He said, taking a seat behind his desk and laying his hands on the rich looking wood.

Gray leaned in. "I need manpower, Junior. Lots of it. And I was wondering if you had any fingers in the pies of construction and city planning." Then he added, "I don't mind what strings you need to pull either."

Junior fell silent, his gaze flickering to the twins before settling back on Gray. Gray caught the glance and wondered what it meant.

"This... project sounds big." He said, his voice carefully doctored to hide what he was thinking. It didn’t bother Gray as he could simply use his Semblance on him at any point, so he let it slide for now. "What's the guarantee that it will actually make money?"

Gray's response was immediate.

"Because the SDC will be involved.”

The revelation left Junior visibly shocked, his eyes widening in surprise. "You want us to work with the SDC?" He asked, filled with disbelief. The twins, equally stunned, stared as if he grew a second head.

Gray nodded.

"I have loyal people among the Schnee's." He revealed. The revelation left the room in stunned silence.

As the silence lingered, the radio on Junior's desk crackled to life, the voice on the other end announcing Roman's arrival. The tension in the room was palpable.

The office fell into a contemplative silence as Junior, still reeling from the revelations, absentmindedly instructed over the radio for Roman to be escorted in. Gray, for his part, enjoyed the silence.

Moments later, the door swung open, and Roman sauntered in, his usual cheeky and sarcastic demeanor filling the room. Neo, his silent companion, followed closely behind, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she took in the scene.

"Ladies, gentlemen," Roman greeted, acknowledging each person in the room. Junior responded with a hint of annoyance, but he nonetheless offered Roman a seat.

Roman settled into the armchair next to Gray, looking from Junior to Gray with some cheer. Neo, with a cheerful wave, made her way to the couch; the twins shuffling to make room for her; their expressions guarded and wary. Neo, however, seemed to relish the suspicion she elicited; her smile never wavering as she settled in beside them.

"So, what's this meeting all about?" Roman asked. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze flickering between Gray and Junior. The tension in the room seeming to diffuse with the presence of his good mood.

Gray turned to Roman. "First things first, Roman. How is that meeting with the weapons dealers coming along? Did they take the bait?"

Roman's response was confident.

"A number of them seem interested." He said, his gaze flickering to Junior, no doubt wondering if he was clued in. "I take it Junior here is in on the plot if we're talking openly in front of him?"

Junior, trying to follow the conversation, nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful as he turned to Gray. "I've heard Roman asking around recently, but I didn't know what he was up to until now." He admitted. "Are weapons going to be a part of this project?"

Roman raised an eyebrow at the question, wondering just how much Junior knew. Gray, sensing the tension in the room, took a deep breath.

"Let me start from the beginning, gentlemen." He said, his gaze sweeping over the room, acknowledging the presence of the ladies with a nod of respect. "And ladies. There is a lot to go through."

He took a moment to gather his thoughts. "The plot involves rebuilding the city of Mountain Glenn." He began. "Using my contacts with the Schnee's, we will create a workforce comprised of people from Junior's operations, other families and the White Fang, all disguised as regular workers."

“Oh? And what of Cinder’s little plan?” Roman asked.

“Her plan is being altered and adapted. Her original employer is to be made to think Cinder is still going through with it, but since she is mine, then it's really all smoke and mirrors.”

Roman frowned thoughtfully, not sure what to make of that. Junior, on the other hand, looked confused, the mention of Cinder and her unwitting employer going over his head.

"Cinder is a woman who was sent by another employer to disrupt things in Vale." Gray explained. "But she is one of my people, through and through. The rebuilding of Mountain Glenn will serve as a preparation to deal with her employer, as well as a means to further our own goals and ambitions."

“Deal with her employer? As in,” Roman brought his thumb across his throat in the universal symbol of killing someone. “Am I catching your drift here?”

Gray thought about it for a moment. Did he want to kill Salem? If she was a threat to the world, then the answer is yes. If there was another way, though, then he’d prefer to explore that. But if there was no other way...

“If I must.” He shrugged.

“Okaaay...” Roman said, sounding very unconvinced. Junior had his eyes narrowed trying to understand the byplays. “Alright, so, changing tact... What do you mean by having contact with the Schnee's?"

The notion of Gray holding sway over one of the most powerful families in Atlas, or the world, was a shocking idea.

"I have the ears of both Jacques Schnee, the head of the SDC, and his wife." He said simply. "The methods I used to get them in my pocket, I will keep to myself."

Roman laughed, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, his expression one of amused resignation. "Fair enough." He chuckled. "I'm not sure I want to know."

Junior, his curiosity piqued by the mention of Cinder and her mysterious employer, turned to Gray with a thoughtful expression. "What was this Cinder woman asked to do by this employer?" He asked.

Gray said a single word.

"Destruction."

They went silent. But likely not out of any kind of worry for the city or loss of life. These were hardened criminals after all.

Gray, sensing their confusion, elaborated. "****, terrorism, explosions, Grimm attacks, the complete collapse of the kingdom." He said, his tone even as if he were talking about the weather. "This employer has a hatred for Vale and wishes to see it wiped from the map."

There was more understanding on their faces now, even if it still sounded ludicrous.

"When I heard this from Cinder, I decided that her time as a double agent was over." He told them. "Vale is my city, and you can't exactly do business in a dead city."

The words resonated with the criminal minds in the room, the notion of profit and opportunity a language they understood all too well. Roman and Junior nodded in agreement.

"Now, not everyone knows about this plot to destroy Vale." Gray continued. "For now, I need everyone in this room to remain tight-lipped about it until the time is right. Otherwise, it might get back to Cinder’s employer."

The assembled group nodded in agreement.

---

Roman shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His initial enthusiasm for causing chaos and disruption in Vale had been fueled by a desire to get back at the elite, a sentiment that resonated deeply with him. However, the notion of total annihilation was far and away a line he had not anticipated crossing.

"I didn't realize that was the direction this was all going in." Roman admitted, frowning at nothing in particular. "When I teamed up with Cinder, I thought it was all about getting back at the elite or something like that. The city hasn't done me any favors, so I was all in on making a ruckus. But total annihilation... that's going a little too far, I think."

Junior, his expression thoughtful and contemplative, asked Gray a question. "Do you think it would stop with Vale?"

Gray knew from Ozpin and Cinder that Salem had plans to subvert or destroy all of humanity. So, it was likely not going to stop with just Vale.

"Do you think the other Kingdoms would simply sit back after seeing one of them fall?" He asked a rhetorical question. "Cinder has told me that her employer has power beyond what any military can bring to bear. If the other kingdoms try to investigate how one kingdom fell, it may not end well for them either."

Junior glanced at the twins, making Gray wonder what role those two young women played here. If he glanced at them when asking about whether other kingdoms would be affected, then maybe they were from another kingdom. In fact, the Xiong family had its roots in Mistral. So, perhaps they were worried about Mistral being the next target.

Gray turned his attention fully to Junior, and said, "Attend the meeting that Roman is organizing with the weapons dealers. And think about any other people who might want a slice of this Mountain Glenn cake. The more hands we have, the better. This rebuilding project will be used to stage a comeback against this insane employer, creating a cash flow so large that it generates smaller flows for anyone who wants to establish a 'business' with the conception of Mountain Glenn."

He paused for effect, and to let them respond if they had anything to say. They didn’t though.

"I will use the wealth it generates to take down this 'employer.'" He said, his gaze sweeping over the room. Not that they could see his eyes, of course.

What Gray did not reveal, however, was the true extent of his ambition. He had thought it over for the last couple of days, wondering how best he could fight against Salem. She had centuries of experience and hordes of Grimm at her disposal. And agents across the world. She was also supposedly immortal. With no known way to kill her. So, he could only really think to build up powers that could stem the tides of her Grimm.

So, no, wealth was not the ultimate goal here; it was a means to an end, a tool to be used in the battle against a far greater threat. His grand scheme involved a combination of wealth, firepower, training for the White Fang, and the creation of a legitimate army that would defend the world alongside forces like Atlas’ army and all the Huntsmen of the world.

Gray let the moment of silence linger for a moment longer. They each kept their thoughts to themselves as they contemplated his words.

---

Some minutes went by and some more was said, but all the important details had been raised. There was nothing more to say.

Gray stood up.

"This meeting is over. I've said what I needed to say. Keep your eyes on the news this coming week. Once my plan with the Schnee’s is finalized, it may be announced by the media." He declared, his gaze sweeping over Roman and Junior.

Roman rose from his seat, a cheeky grin playing at the corners of his mouth as he prepared to take his leave. "I'll be in contact about the meeting, Junior. Good night gents. And Ladies." He said. Junior nodded in acknowledgment.

With a final nod, Roman and Neo made their way to the door. Gray noted that even Neo, the short statured woman, seemed contemplative instead of sporting her own cheeky smile. The room fell silent as they departed, leaving Gray, Junior, and the twins in their wake.

Gray turned to Junior. Perhaps he could question him about his concerns with other kingdoms now.

"Junior, I noticed you glancing at these lovely ladies a few times in this meeting, and always at certain points of the conversation. Like when I mentioned needing manpower and allowing you to use whatever strings you had available, as well as showing concern for other kingdoms being targeted.” Gray noticed Hei Xiong grimace a little, his eyes once again going to the twins. He also felt the twins themselves tensing to the side of him. Not to attack, but simply because of the fact that they might be caught. With what he wasn’t sure. “So, tell me about your connections in Mistral."

It was a small bluff bringing up Mistral. There was a possibility it was about something else, but Gray liked to think he could use logic and reason to sniff out the more likely route. And seeing as how Junior was from Mistral, he thought it was a good guess.

The look on Junior’s face said it all.

He hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering to the twins before he sighed.

"I answer to Little Miss Malachite." He admitted. There was a tight tone shifting between respect and trepidation in his voice. "She's the mother of the twins and a crime boss over on the eastern continent. She took control of the Xiong family when she had my father killed."

Ah.

So, the twins were insurance that he would obey. They were the subtle threat for him to do as this Little Miss Malachite person said. Gray immediately activated his Semblance.

"Little Miss Malachite is secretly loyal and obedient to me. These twin sisters," He said, addressing the girls. “Are loyal and obedient to me.”

It wouldn’t do to have some crime boss he wasn’t fully aware of getting intel of him without his knowledge. At least now she would see him as her boss instead.

He deactivated his Semblance.

Gray nodded at Junior and issued his final instructions. "Think things over and let me know how things go."

Junior followed and saw him at the door. As Gray stepped out of the club, he activated his Semblance once again. The night air was cool, and a slight breeze buffeted his hood.

He stood on the sidewalk just outside the club; the music now a muted sound now that he was outside. He looked up at the night sky. He couldn’t see the stars, but the moon with its broken pieces sat there in the murky black.

It still felt unreal to him. Playing these dangerous individuals like instruments. Making them do what he wanted. Making them work together to undermine Salem and protect the world. It was all just so bizarre, being at the center of something like this.

He breathed in a deep breath and sighed. He started walking down the street. He wasn’t sure where he was going, but he did need to walk and think things through.

As he made his way through the nighttime streets of Vale, his mind turned to Cinder. He wondered if he had enough time to see her.

---

patreon.com/CandidBandit