A sly smile began to cross Gregori’s face. “Excellent idea, my friend.”
The prison had terrible food, William thought. In fact, the only worse thing would be their tea.
The prison gruel was in fact terrible, but it was the only source of nourishment around. If you didn’t eat, then you would have to starve until the next meal.
The status of “special prisoner” was very degrading. It was a source of scorn and jealousy from the other prisoners, and a source of discrimination from the guards. They already thought he was spoiled.
He finished eating and grimaced. Now he had to go out into the yard.
Who knew how many people he had alienated with his “special” status?
Bradford Williams saw the new prisoner and made a face. It wasn’t just his “special status” whatchamacallit. He started to make a plan to land him in the infirmary.
“Alright, then it’s decided. You contact your connections in Sem’ya, and I’ll contact my old butler. Maybe we’ll find something worthy of blackmail, and use it to our advantage.” Lurin was hoping that this plan wouldn’t result in his death.
Gregori stopped him. “Not blackmail, no. That’s too stupid, and will get us killed.” He paused for a second. “No offense meant, my friend. No, I need to find out whether or not Darby operates as an individual. If not, I can offer an alliance with his organization and Sem’ya in exchange for our freedom.” He smirked. “Or we could simply offer our services to him temporarily. After all, more men should always be welcomed.”
He noticed the new inmate eating a few tables down. “And just who might that be?”
“You’re right, blackmail’s too deadly… My mind must’ve clicked back to an older me.” Years of therapy had gotten his mind back in order. A while back, he had sworn to never kill again, but his bloodlust was too much to handle on his own, and thus hired a surprisingly high-quality therapist through the black market. Being in this prison was slowly eroding that therapy, however. He knew he needed to get out of this prison as soon as possible, lest his thirst for killing and other unsightly qualities of his old self become too unbearable.
“Oh, I believe that is an Altae Isles flag on his uniform. I can’t quite tell from this angle though.”
“He appears to be leaving. Perhaps we should make his acquaintance?”
“Indeed, let’s approach him.” Lurin jogged over to the man, who was just getting up from his seat.
“Hello, sir! Me and my friend here would like to make your acquaintance. What might be your name?”
Trying not to mind the bad grammar, William replied, “Hello, sirs. I’m William Eresug. I was just thrown in here yesterday. What would your names be, and how do you mind it here?”
Proper grammar and polite speech. Perhaps an upper-class background?
Stepping forward, Gregori introduced himself. “I am Gregori Grigoryev. As for how I mind it here, I don’t particularly enjoy the… accommodations. May I ask what you were imprisoned for?”
William noticed that Gregori was from Stratarin, and that the other man was from Tuvaltastan. “Well, Gregori, I am here for a pyramid scheme, hacking into the government, embezzling the military’s funds, and attempting to flee to a much more friendly government. How about you?”
“Fascinating. I am here because I killed and raped a bunch of women. “Not my proudest moment…” By the way, my name is Lurin Vorolov, pleased to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.” So not the worst folk in here… “So how about the others? Anybody I should look out for?” William asked.
— Begin quote from ____
“I am here because I killed and raped a bunch of women.”
— End quote
I don’t care to know in which order…
Gregori coughed. “I am, or rather, was the chief crime boss of Sem’ya, the Strataric mob. This involves crimes, many and various, which can become somewhat tedious to list in detail.”
“As for who to look out for, I’d avoid the South Staynish fellow. The Dragonian is also unpleasant, but it may be necessary to procure his trust.”
He hesitated a moment. “Did I overhear something about a ‘special’ status?”
William mentally sighed. Of course this question. “Yes, I get slightly more privileges, something that the government calls human rights. Now, if they were so concerned, they wouldn’t put me here. I swear, all it does is put a target on my back.”
Gregori’s mental gears started turning. He suddenly appeared very interested. “What sort of privileges?”
Yalbrik Fay, a notorious terrorist pilot trainer, drug dealer and WMD trader from Staynish Justelvard, was sat ominously in the corner, fiddling with an engine part god knows where he got it from. After listening in he gained interest.
“Boys thinkin’ of gettin’ out ay?” He snarled. “U’re mad. I’ve tried it. Thrice. U’d need a good plan for that. Dunno if you know but the town outta the walls… Everyone is trained to kill. I lost Carl and George tryina escape. I was t’ only survivor. They got some nice planes but t’ other side of t’ other island. I’m a good pilot if ya need me. But I ain’t helpin ya unless you know fo sure I ain’t gon die. You hear me?”
After finishing his ‘meal’, Pearson sat silently for several minutes, absent-mindedly sipping water and occasionally glancing around the chamber. He noticed a slightly nervous Atlaean man being approached by two rather tall gentlemen, one from Stratarin and the other from Tuvaltastan. Being that since his incarceration he had yet to make an acquaintance with anybody but a shock baton he stood up and wandered over to the trio to introduce himself.
“besides, there’s no way I’m getting out of this place solo.” He thought to himself, tossing his cup into a bin.
“Greetings fellas!” he exclaimed, with mock fervour. “ooh, you talking 'bout escaping? you’re never getting out on a plane that’s for sure. Name’s Pearson by the way.”
[spoiler]“S-sir. Sorry- This is for later. I promise.”
Irene almost told the lie, but somehow knew he’d know. She blushed and gave up the act, pushing the scalpel away from her, handle towards Darby, and began again; This time with a slight tinge of confidence in her voice. “Y-your associates, they… they didn’t exactly make you sound warm ‘n’ fuzzy. S-sorry.”
Stop digging yourself into this hole and tell him 'bout yourself, you moron.
“I-I can make things. Electrical systems, and simpler electronics, that’s my specialty. Sir,” the words finally got out. “I want to leave here- to go home. Sir.” She folded her arms behind her back and stared at the laces on her shoes.[/spoiler]
Joe nearly lost it when Irene said “Warm n’ fuzzy”, but his face did not betray his amusement. A couple of his men on the other hand almost laughed out loud. A expressionless face and a raised eye-brow look had Joe’s posse pale and quiet down immediately.
“Electrical systems you say Miss Kalypsen?” Joe said as his cold eyes bored into Irene’s eyes. “That is quite a downplay from say a ‘Robotics Engineer’, eh?” He smiled coldly. “I understand you have an issue with one of the guards here Miss Kalypsen?” He continued. “Stevens I think his name is?”
He paused for a moment as something caught his attention.
[spoiler]Joe’s situational awareness is advanced enough that while talking to Irene he is well aware of his surroundings and of the group of different nationals talking across the room and occasionally look over at him. Joe glanced at the Strataric “Is that Gregori Grigoryev? One of the head crime bosses in the Sem’ya. Interesting;” he thought to himself.[/spoiler]
“I’m willing to have your problem ‘taken care of’, if you are willing to help me with slight problem I have?” Joe smiled at Irene, the smile not reaching his eyes. Joe pushed the scalpel back towards Irene, “you may keep this Miss Kalypsen. You might be needing this soon.” He paused assessing her, “do not worry about my associates here, they will not touch you,” he glanced at a couple of his men who were still leering at Irene. “If, lets say they did do something inappropriate towards you, while working for me,” he said with a cold smile. “There would be nothing left for even fish to feed upon,” he stated with cold certainty.
Joe internally smirked as he watched his men straighten up and stop looking at Irene like she was a side of beef to be devoured.
“You are under my protection now Miss Kalypsen, the rest of the ‘fine fellows’ at this lovely facility will know about it shortly. Do we have an accord Miss Kalypsen?” Joe finished with that same cold smile.
“Juz’ makin’ it clear. If we pull off a smart enough plan and go undetect’d the plane option can work to our advantag’. If we can get hold of some fake ID’s, I can use one to get into t’ cockpit and we can get out undetected. Would’av to be stealth and not strength aye.”