The golden liquor swirled in the glass as Vito regarded it with interest.
"So you're treating me to such good liquor of your own free will?"
"I treat all my regulars this way. And don't flatter yourself," Silver Snake said, pouring herself a glass too.
She leaned against the bar and looked over Vito's shoulder. Several members of the Devout Society sat around a table not far away.
They were all armed. What's more, unlike the usual Devout Society thugs, every one of them wore armor and had more advanced implants.
"Looks like you've risen pretty high, Vito," Silver Snake said calmly. "You know there won't be any shootouts or assassinations in my bar. I don't want to break that tradition."
"Neither do I. But it's a different story outside. It's a long way from the Monastery in the Lower Hive to here, especially considering what's been happening lately—"
"You mean after you blew up two of Hammer's freight trains, robbed an entire trainload of weapons, and took his underground station?"
"Exactly."
Vito grinned teasingly. Silver Snake shook her head and took a sip. "You've started a war, Vito. An underground war."
"Darling, that war started a long time ago. I just made it a little more interesting."
He took a sip too and leaned back against his stool. "Besides, I've brought you plenty of benefits, haven't I? I give you information on the Devout Society, you give me information on the Hammer Gang, and then you sell information to the Hammer Gang."
"Making money on both sides. You're winning big, girl."
Silver Snake looked at him and sighed helplessly. "That's exactly why I haven't been able to buy good liquor for two weeks, idiot. Your war has cut off several trade routes between the Mid Hive and the Lower Hive."
"Now only the Syndicate has any. Those suit-wearing bastards have jacked the prices up several times over."
The girl stood up and put her hands on her hips, looking toward the Ogryns at the bar's entrance. The two hulking, powerful Ogryns had thick arms and bulging chests like undersized Astartes.
The only people left in the bar were members of the Devout Society. The regular patrons had either been kicked out or scared off, leaving only a gang of vicious-looking thugs—or, to be precise, the bodyguards of Vito Constantine, the Devout Society's boss.
"How long have you been with the Devout Society?"
"Hmm, two or three months. Why?"
"As a newly promoted leader who's only been around for two or three months, aren't you making too big a show of yourself? This is just a little place."
Vito looked at the empty bar behind him, then gave an awkward smile and scratched his head apologetically. "True. I'll keep a lower profile next time. But isn't this good publicity for you?"
"Publicity?"
"Of course. The Devout Society's new boss makes a high-profile visit to do business with you. I'd guess that by this afternoon, Mal, the Hammer Gang's boss, will come here with an even more outrageous entourage."
Silver Snake rubbed the bridge of her nose in exasperation, her beautiful eyes drooping. "What are you here for today?"
"To see a beauty and sample some fine liquor?" Vito said with a smile, then caught the cold look in Silver Snake's eyes.
Vito whistled. Marshall, who had been sitting at a table nearby, came over. He carried a Lasgun, but unlike the other members of the Devout Society, he wore a gray-green Astra Militarum breastplate.
"Tell the boys to wait outside."
Marshall nodded, then waved. The Devout Society guards left the bar.
The bar was empty now. The quiet space held only the two of them.
"I heard the Hammer Gang got their hands on some good stuff?" Vito asked.
Silver Snake braced both hands behind herself and sat on the bar. "First tell me what you're offering in exchange for the information."
"The Devout Society is about to receive a new shipment of Crimson Essence. It's coming through the underground canal docks on the Path of Redemption. Very discreet, barely any guards."
"Lately, workers in Mal's factories have been taking Crimson Essence from some 'unknown' source for some 'unknown' reason. The Devout Society infiltrated the factories, and there've been riots inside several of them."
Silver Snake's melodious laughter rang out softly. She looked at Vito with admiration. "I have to admit, giving the factory workers cheap Crimson Essence for free, then preaching to them after they've taken it, was a clever idea."
That was right. Vito had devised a plan the Devout Society had used for a while, but no one had ever thought to weaponize: Crimson Essence.
Crimson Essence was highly addictive, but unlike drugs, it didn't harm the body. Instead, it caused hallucinations.
The faithful called it Holy Dust, a key to communicating with the divine. In the end, under the combined influence of its beautiful visions, the gods' comfort, and the Devout Society missionaries' preaching, those who took it would convert to the sect and become devout, steadfast followers.
But Crimson Essence wasn't cheap, so the Devout Society's preaching had never spread very quickly. Vito changed that.
He gave away large quantities of cheap Crimson Essence, sending it straight into the Hammer Gang's factories, where it quickly spread among the impoverished workers.
Then, at a time Vito judged just right, riots broke out. Working with the Devout Society from within and without, they seized the factories one after another.
"True, but it costs a lot. Mosley has called me a wastrel and a traitor at several meetings. Fortunately, I managed to get my hands on more valuable goods to recoup the losses, so I still have a seat at the sect meetings."
Vito smiled, resting one hand on the bar. "So this time, I plan to make a little extra on the side. And of course, I'll bring our dear Mal Hammer a little something to soothe him. I'm sure he'll pay a good price for it."
Silver Snake smiled too and swept the silver-gray fringe off her cheek. The perfectly figured bartender turned around.
"Mal Hammer bought five Sentinel walkers from the Planetary Defense Force. He equipped them with multilaser cannons and Autocannons."
Vito whistled and tapped the counter with a finger, intrigued. "That's generous. I'd like a few myself."
"You've already got underground Astartes and Astra Militarum soldiers. Isn't that enough?"
"You can never have too many good things, darling. Where can I 'buy' some?"
"By water, too. Kahalos docks on the Path of Truth, at midnight tomorrow."
Vito smiled teasingly, stood up, and dusted off his clothes. His long black coat hung down around him.
"You've managed to infiltrate the Devout Society, Vito—and you're very good at it. Would you mind telling me what you're really trying to do?"
"Hmm, good question. Maybe I'll tell you someday, darling. Just not now. Maybe after we... know each other better."
Vito downed his drink, tapped the glass on the counter twice, then waved as he left. "Until next time, dear Silver Snake."
Silver Snake watched Vito leave the bar. She sighed softly, climbed back behind the counter, and looked over her liquor shelves.
She meant to get ready for Mal's arrival that afternoon, but then she discovered an awkward truth.
"Damn it, I really gave him all the good stuff."
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