Imperial Frontier: Compensation and Profit

Gold and silver liquid swirled in the glass as Vito watched it with keen interest.

"You've already volunteered to treat me to such fine spirits?"

"I do this for all my old clients, and don't get any ideas," Silver Snake said, pouring a glass for herself as well.

She leaned against the bar, looking over Vito's shoulder toward the tables nearby, where several members of the Devout Society were seated.

They were all armed, and more than that, each one was different from the typical Devout Society thugs, wearing armor and superior implants.

"It seems you've risen to a high position, Vito," Silver Snake said calmly. "You know that in my bar, there are no firefights or assassinations, and I don't wish to break that tradition."

"I don't wish to either, but it's different outside. The journey from the Lower Hive Monastery to here isn't short, especially considering the recent situation."

"Are you talking about after you blew up two of the Hammer Gang boss's cargo trains, hijacked a whole shipment of weapons, and raided his underground station?"

"That's the one."

Vito chuckled playfully, while Silver Snake shook her head and took a sip of her drink. "You've started a war, Vito, an underground war."

"My dear, this war started long ago; I'm just making it a bit more exciting."

He took a sip of his drink as well, leaning back against the high stool. "And I've brought you quite a few benefits, haven't I? I give you intelligence on the Devout Society, you give me intel on the Hammer Gang, and then you sell that intel to the Hammer Gang."

"Playing both sides, you're making a killing, girl."

Silver Snake sighed helplessly as she looked at him. "Because of that, I haven't been able to buy good liquor for two weeks, you idiot. Your war has cut off several trade routes between the Mid Hive and the Lower Hive."

"Now only the Syndicate has any, and those suit-wearing bastards have jacked up the prices several times over."

The girl stood up, hands on her hips, looking at the Ogryns at the bar entrance. They were two hulking, powerful Ogryns, their thick arms and massive pectoral muscles resembling miniature Astartes.

The entire bar was now filled only with members of the Devout Society. The original patrons had either been driven out or scared away, leaving only a group of menacing Devout Society thugs—or, to be precise, the bodyguards of boss Vito Constantine.

"How long have you been with the Devout Society?"

"Hmm, two or three months, why?"

"As a new member of the leadership after only two or three months, isn't your display a bit too much? This is just a small place."

Vito looked at the empty bar behind him, then gave a wry smile and scratched his head apologetically. "Indeed, I'll keep a lower profile next time, but isn't this just free advertising for you?"

"Advertising?"

"Of course. The new boss of the Devout Society coming to you in such a high-profile way for business—I reckon by this afternoon, Hammer Gang boss Mal will be here with an even more extravagant entourage."

Silver Snake rolled her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose, her beautiful eyes drooping in exasperation. "Why are you here today?"

"To see a beauty and taste fine wine?" Vito said with a smile, only to be met with Silver Snake's cold, indifferent gaze.

Vito whistled, and Marshall, who had been at a nearby table, walked over. He carried a lasgun on his back, but unlike the other Devout Society members, he wore a chest plate—a grey-green Astra Militarum chest plate.

"Tell the boys to wait outside."

Marshall nodded, then waved his hand, and the Devout Society guards in the bar filed out.

The bar was empty, leaving only the two of them in the quiet space.

"I heard the Hammer Gang got their hands on some good cargo, right?" Vito asked.

Silver Snake leaned back, bracing herself on the bar counter. "Tell me first what information you plan to trade for it."

"The Devout Society is about to receive a new batch of Crimson Essence, shipped from the underground canal docks of the Path of Redemption. It's very low-key, with hardly any guards."

"Recently, because workers in Mal's factories were consuming Crimson Essence from an 'unknown' source and cause, the Devout Society managed to slip in, and riots broke out inside several factories."

Silver Snake's melodic laughter sounded softly as she looked at Vito with an appreciative gaze. "I have to admit, your idea of giving cheap Crimson Essence to factory workers for free, letting them consume it and then using it to influence them through preaching, is a good one."

Yes, Vito had devised a plan—a plan that the Devout Society had been using, but one that no one had ever thought to weaponize: Crimson Essence.

Crimson Essence was highly addictive, but unlike drugs, it did not harm the human body; instead, it caused the user to experience hallucinations.

Believers called this stuff Holy Dust, the key to opening communication with the divine. In the end, through beautiful visions, the comfort of the gods, and the multi-layered influence of Devout Society missionaries, the users would convert to the order and become devout, steadfast members of the Devout Society.

But Crimson Essence was not cheap, so in the past, the Devout Society's conversion speed hadn't been very fast. Vito, however, had changed that.

He sent out large quantities of Crimson Essence at a low price, sending it directly into the various factories of the Hammer Gang, where it spread rapidly among the impoverished workers.

Finally, at a time Vito deemed appropriate and perfect, a riot would break out, and with help from the inside, the Devout Society would seize the factories, one after another.

"Indeed, but it's very expensive. Mosley has already called me a spendthrift and a traitor in several meetings. Fortunately, I did manage to get more valuable goods to offset the losses, so I'm still sitting in the order's meetings."

Vito smiled, resting one hand on the bar. "So, I plan to make some extra money this time, and of course, offer a little consolation prize to our dear Mal Hammer. I believe he'll buy it at a good price."

Silver Snake smiled as well, tucking a strand of silver-grey hair behind her ear, and the woman with the perfect curves turned around.

"Mal Hammer bought five Sentinel walkers from the Planetary Defense Force, equipped with multi-lasers and autocannons."

Vito whistled, tapping his fingers on the table with interest. "Lavish. I want a few of those myself."

"You've already churned out underground Astartes warriors and Astra Militarum, isn't that enough?"

"You can never have too much of a good thing, my dear. Where can I 'buy' them?"

"Also by water, at the Kahalos docks on the Path of Truth, tomorrow night at midnight."

Vito gave a playful smile, stood up, and patted his clothes, his long black trench coat hanging down.

"You've successfully infiltrated the Devout Society, Vito, and you're very skilled at it. Mind telling me what exactly you're trying to do?"

"Hmm, good question. Perhaps I'll tell you in the future, my dear, but not now—not until we know each other a little better."

Vito downed his drink in one gulp, tapped the glass twice against the table, and then waved his hand as he walked away. "See you next time, my dear Silver Snake."

Silver Snake watched Vito exit the bar, let out a soft sigh, and vaulted over the counter, looking up to inspect her liquor shelf.

She intended to prepare for Mal's arrival that afternoon, but she discovered an awkward fact.

"Damn it, I already gave all the good stuff to him."