Another Line in the Ledger

[Sayne]

Meanwhile...

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Tommy had been in a foul mood ever since his brother left Buffalo. He’d embarrassed him in front of a multitude of people for no reason other than his own power trip.

“He thinks I couldn’t lead.” he muttered, more to himself than to the passing Junkers, Rogues, and Outcasts. “Acts like leading these people is some big task.”

He was posted up outside the Hollow Crown’s bar onboard the station. Most Rogues didn’t frequent it for one reason or another. Blake would say they avoided it because they didn’t want to tangle with the Ledgermen. Truth was, it lacked the usual draw--no strippers, no whores, none of the outlandish activity the other bars thrived on. Blake insisted it maintain a “classy” atmosphere.

On Buffalo. Tommy scoffed to himself.

“Do you represent the Hollow Crown?” a voice cut in.

Tommy turned, irritation plain on his face. An Outcast woman stood there, looking like she resented even having to speak to him. The feeling was mutual.

“Yeah. Guess I do right now. What do you want?” he said dismissively, already turning his attention back to the passing crowd.

Her eyes narrowed.

“My Don wants a word. He just arrived, and he’s not happy with the current numbers.”

Tommy sneered despite himself. That was all it took. The Outcast moved fast, drawing a blaster and jamming it into his side.

“Watch it, Rogue. I don’t like your fucking kind. Bottom feeders. You only exist because we allow it. You live off selling our product.” She drove the weapon harder into his ribs, enough to make him wince. “Get to the Orange Persephone bar on Deck C8 within the hour, or I’m going to personally enjoy gutting you like a fish. Your brother can come collect what’s left of you--before we kill him too.”

Before she turned to leave, she spat in his face. He didn’t move for a moment.

Maybe leading the Crown wasn’t as easy as he’d thought.

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I've lost people who meant the world to me...and I'm still doing just fine.

I'm coming for everything they said I couldn't have.