Chapter IX: A night by the campfire and a hidden pact

 Becoming a mercenary meant two things for Boris Unforgiven. First was that the people out to kill him on sight lowered drastically. Second was that he finally could begin phase two of his plan. Phase one had been to find a faction gullible enough to let him in while also being useful for him. Dushman had given him some missions to get him started. He'd have to complete them if Boris was to truly be accepted into the mercenaries. First seemed simple enough, finding some old timer in the Swamps, Boris was sent to do this because of his knowledge of the Swamps and the fact he wouldn't have to kill million renegades to get to the man. The other mission was meeting Olivius, once again Boris was sent due to his contacts with Bandits.

Boris set off to meet the bandit trader first. He was actually happy to finally go back to Dark Valley, he had meant to visit it and empty his personal safe for a long time now, but hadn't had the time to do that. He'd also get to meet Dimuha and Vityukha again, or so he hoped. He took the long route there, crossing Army Warehouses and Truck Cemetery. The trip was largely uneventful, as he traveled in the safety of the night. Boris spent part of the day in Truck Cemetery and told his story to the bandit trader, who was astonished that Dushman had let him into the mercs while knowing his renegade status. As a reward for such a interesting story, Boris got a free dinner before he continued on with his journey.

Finally arriving to Dark Valley, the bandit base was a sight for sore eyes. Boris still despised the bandits, but still, returning to his former safe space felt good. At the base gate, Vituykha was on guard duty and welcomed Boris in like a long lost brother. Boris promised him to join him and Dimuha later on for a celebration at the campfire at Boris' lair, but first Boris would visit Olivius. The bandit trader looked surprising to see Boris with a mercenary patch on his adhoc exoskeleton, but didn't comment on it. He had a job in mind for Boris. Since Boris was now a possible contact inside the mercs, he could work as Olivius' courier. He needed four pristine modern Steyer AUGs. Boris' jaw dropped. Where the hell could he get those?, he asked, and Olivius replied that he did not care, but he needed them as soon as possible. He then sent the new merc off with a dismissing gaze.

At Boris' old lair at the top of the bandit base, Dimuha and Vityukha waited already. The campfire was lit and the bandits were chucking down vodka like there was no tomorrow. Couple old loafs of bread and kielbasas were being grilled by the fire. Boris sat next to them. Dimuha greeted him warmly, clinking his bottle to Boris'. The bandits wanted to hear how the hell Boris had managed his stunt with the mercs, and Boris told his story once again. The two bandits couldn't believe their ears and thought Boris was playing with them, but stopped joking and laughing when Boris showed them his contract.

The bandits inquired why Boris had decided to join the mercs out of all the factions. Boris hesitated. On the other hand, he needed allies and friends if he wanted to pull of his plan. On the other, he could not place such a burden on his only friends left in the Zone by revealing his plan on them. They'd have to choose between their own faction or a plan of a man with nothing to loose who just happened to be their friend. The silence seemed to bother Dimuha, who asked if everything was okay for Boris. Did the mercs hold his family hostage or something? Or his cat? Boris shook his head, and sighed. He'd have to tell them.

So, I've got a plan, he started. I'm planning on making a real faction out of the renegades. But to do this, I need to get some real intel and resources. I need cash, I need info on faction weaknesses, I need recruits, armour, weapons and ammo. Loads of those. I will use the mercs as a means to an end, I plan to earn their trust as well as many other factions trust as I can. When I first became a renegade, I was an innocent man, but every other faction had betrayed me. The renegades at least gave me something, and I saw potential in them. They have been mistreated for so long, and I want to rectify that. I want to be a leader for them, a force that drives them to get their revenge.

Dimuha and Vityukha sat absolutely still and silent, looking both confused and thoughtfull. Dimuha spoke up after this dragged on for few minutes. So why tell us? We're just lowly bandits, we can't help you much, he said. Boris replied that he just really needed to share this with someone. And he needed allies who he could trust. Besides, there could be a day when Sultan might need replacing, after all he had used renegades for years as a puppet faction to keep Clear Sky at least somewhat occupied while simultaneously keeping them from gaining too much ground in the eternal swamp war.

Dimuha seemed to understand. He and Vityukha looked at each other, and Vityukha nodded. A lot of thoughts raced through Boris' head before they spoke up again. Maybe they'd be his lieutenants for life, even after Boris succeeded, or they'd betray him right here and now. It was the former, at least the start of it. Dimuha and Vityukha agreed to help Boris in his megalomaniac idea, any way they could, as long as it did not harm the bandits. They never liked Sultan that much either. Boris once again felt great respect and kinship with the two. This was another step taken forward, one amongst many to come. He'd need many more allies, but this was a great start.