Dak took over learning more about the people who were brought in by the others. He was becoming a reasonable voice, and Zinnia had done a good job picking the batch of 14 members originally selected for her first operation. He also wanted to start making this place nicer and let them know he needed to talk to 67 about potential renovations to help the recruits with comfort.
He knocked on the door. "It’s Dak."
"Come on in," Zed yelled.
*******
Zinnia quickly made her way to her new hideout.
’Whoa, this is really nice,’ she thought as she used the magical orb at the location.
Deep in the slums, in a short alleyway, there was an area right next to a giant dumpster that allowed her into a small, home-like area. It was fully furnished and had a bathroom and bedroom separate from the general area. It basically looked like a nice apartment, just built in an abandoned building.
’I guess they’re making good money at the top or off the Necrams. I wonder how much of the elven money our leaders or the Necrams have access to?’
She set down her things and didn’t stay long. She wanted to get back to the others quickly. As she was walking down the street, she enjoyed the newfound respect people gave her. Many regular people looked away in fear. The former boss, D, had ruled with a bloody fist and instilled fear into the people in the slums. This was his territory, and people were going to pay him and respect him.
’Sick bastard promised women money and food to sleep with him. At least he gave them the food.’
"Hey, D!" a person wearing a black and purple mask yelled.
"You haven’t heard the news? How can you be so daft? Shut the fuck up," Zinnia snarled.
’My response and how I handle this will basically set the tone for what these people think of me. Fuck. I need to be hard on him, but I don’t need to publicly ostracize him either.’
"Sorry... no, I was off on a job for D and just returned. Can we talk?"
"Yes, I suppose if you were off on a job and didn’t know, I can forgive it. If you’re lying, though... then it’s not going to be pleasant."
The people were taken aback. Whispers in the streets held something that had been lacking for a while: hope.
"Maybe she can turn this place around and upgrade us to at least the outskirts so we have some food and resources. I’m sick of starving."
"I’m sick of having to resort to charming people to let me drink a little bit of their blood... we have to do something different. Maybe this new person is the answer?" a man whispered to his wife.
"I agree... we don’t even have the means to pay someone, and it’s not like the non-vampires or non-demons are very nutrient-rich for us. The blood only does so much for so long..." she said quietly back.
Zinnia was picking up many of the whispers and realized how bad the slums truly were.
’I need to change this while staying focused on the task at hand. If I can have that nice of an office, the people don’t need to be starving and fighting for their lives. We can’t take out Tyler if we don’t have strong people.’
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Zinnia. I have been promoted to run these slums. This area is now under the rule of 67 as purple and 69 as black. All new recruits should report to one of them or Mojo on the south end, Topa north, and Vivi west. If you desperately need answers, make it short and sweet. I don’t have all day, but I don’t want to neglect the people either," she yelled convincingly. "Now let’s go somewhere private," she said to the man.
"I’m 19, by the way. Nice to meet you."
"Thank you. Nice to meet you, too," Zinnia said while heading back toward Zed and Dak’s.
*******
"Well, you look good in the mask," Zed said with a smile that could be seen through his new purple mask.
"I can see your facial expressions now, and you need to stop fucking hitting on Zinnia," Dak said sternly.
"I was just building trust," Zed countered.
"Yeah, sure you were. Seriously, man, I love you like a brother, but sometimes... you know who you are and what family you belong to. I shouldn’t have to remind you of that, but here we are doing it again."
Zed sighed. He knew Dak was right. He needed to focus on the mission at hand and stop thinking about Zinnia as a hot demon he could try to flip to the good side.
"Okay, so tell me about what’s going on. Any substantial prisoners?" Zed asked calmly. "Thank you for keeping me in check. I appreciate you, Dak."
"You’re welcome. The trio’s group brought back a werewolf with some power. 27’s person wasn’t as impressive as he cracked him up to be. Just a fricken black and purple level 1 who was planning on trying to steal food and petty shit. 64 and 55 returned, which leaves us with two left. If they don’t come back, you’re going to have to kill. Can you handle that?" Dak asked, concerned that Zed wouldn’t be able to.
"Yes," Zed answered confidently.
"You’re absolutely certain? This isn’t a joke. It’s that or we bail tonight."
"I’ll be able to—"
There was a knock at the door.
"Open up."
Dak opened the door quickly for Zinnia, who had stashed 19 in the room for the time being.
"Hey, boss. What’s up?" Zed asked politely.
"So, we need to turn these slums around. We can’t fight off Tyler and the people with how poor and run-down everyone is. Do you think you two can help with that?"
"Invest in the people to help fight the enemy. Shouldn’t the Necrams have all that elven money? Where’s the share for us and our development?" Zed asked calmly.
"I’ll call Z. You have a damn good point. He expects all this to get done, yet the reward for me was simply power and promotions. That doesn’t help us with the long-term goals much," Zinnia said with a hint of anger.
"Okay, take my office." Zed stood up.
"Sit down. Dak, go watch the people. Keep an eye on 19."
"Understood."
Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring...
’Fucking answer, man!’
"Yes, Zinnia? I don’t have much time. I handed over the prisoner. The Necrams are thankful."
"We need to invest in the slums. All we’re given is power and a promotion. Where’s some financial backing?" she asked politely but sternly.