Chapter XXXI: To Stop a War Part 2, A Chat with the Bandit King

 The sun was starting to set slowly, hanging lazily over the horizon. Two bandit guards stood near the gate leading to the Dark Valley base, one constantly opening and closing their break-action shotgun and the other smoking a cigarette and scrathing their head. A large figure appeared over the horizon, and they suddenly shook out of their boredom. They raised their weapons when they realized that the man walking towards was Boris Unforgiven, just the man Sultan had sent a large squad after and only two had gotten away alive.

• Take me to your leader, Boris commanded with a voice that demanded absolute subjugation.

• We'll need your weapons, one of the bandits said while pointing his TOZ at Boris. Boris responded with a look that would have made a chimera hesitate, and the bandit actually stepped back a little.

• Take me to your leader now, little man, or I'll give you my weapons by shoving them down your throat, Boris repeated, and the bandit slooped visibly, waving his hand to make Boris follow him.

They entered the bandit base and Boris received scornfull and frightened glances from various bandits. The guard led him to Sultans room, which was guarded by the two survivors of the ambush. They shot hesitant glances at Boris and gripped their weapons harder. Sultan however seemed only surprised.

• Interesting of you to have come alone, I thought I would have to use more persuasive methods to draw you in here for negotiations, Sultan said, his voice one of an experienced schemer and manipulator.

• I offered you a deal, sent my right-hand man to give it to you, and you try to murder them. For what?, Boris hissed between his teeth, seething with anger.

• You killed my gladiator trainer. And then went on to talk some nonsense to some of my boys about redemption, even to some of those oh so useful renegades. You, a worthless renegade, thinking the Zone will allow you to create your own merry band of former outlaws? Not on my watch sonny. You either kneel and serve me, or die, Sultan said, his voice demanding.

• Fuck off. I'd rather die standing than live kneeling. But I don't intend to do either. And you're going to leave me and my boys alone, Boris responded, steel in his voice.

• Why the hell would I do that? You're nothing more than a bunch of rookies to me, my boys would take you down in seconds, Sultan yelled and laughed mockingly.

• Because if you cross me or my boys, I'll make you regret it. You do not want to see what happens when you cross me.

• What, you'll attack me with your swamp boys? Scratch the paintjob on my troops armour?

As Sultan said this, a series of booming explosions shook the bandit base. Sultan shot a few glances around the room, trying to locate the source of the explosions. He looked nervous for the first time.

• Don't rack that little brain of yours too much on the cause of those explosions. That was your armoury, ammunition store house and workshop. All blown to hell. By the Redeemed. Still think us weak?, Boris asked, his grin small but triumphant.

• Guards! Sultan yelled. Two corpses collapsed into the room from both sides of the doorframe. Dima stepped over them, carrying his Val pointed at Sultan.

• As you can see, we don't take kindly to someone fucking with us. This was just the beginning of your troubles if you continue harassing us. I will personally hunt down every one of your little gang and hang them from their intestines on the walls of this shithole. And I will feed you alive to fleshes. I will rain hellfire on Dark Valley if you continue your little war, and I will not rest until all your vermin is exterminated, Boris spoke with a serious but collected voice, his rage seeping into every syllable. Sultan seemed extremely anxious but also agitated. He could just as easily turn this small conflict into a full-blown war than to back down.

• I do not give in to some random upstarts! I am Sultan for fucks sake, bandit leader and the criminal king of the Zone. Your little band will be swept away. You do not dare to kill me, or my boys will rip you apart!

• Oh but I don't need to kill you, all I need is one shot and you'll lose all you have, Boris scoffed.

A shot pierced the window behind Sultan, a dart round passing in-between Sultan's legs and hitting the ground ahead of him. He looked at the small crater caused by the round, shaken.

• Now imagine if that round had gone a few millimetres higher. Your testicles would be all over the office, and would your childish troops follow a man with no balls, an eunuch? I doubt it. So think fast, and think hard. Do you want to give up on this little war of yours, or leave us alone and keep your merry band of scum? Boris repeated his point, the steel in his voice almost matching the look he gave to Sultan.

• I... I give up. Have your peace then, you bastard. I'll give my men orders to stay out of the Meadow, Sultan said finally, defeated.

• If I see one bandit near our base, I will burn this place to the ground. And seeing as your base is now weakened thanks to our little explosions, it would be a shame if the loners, Duty and Clear Sky found out about the situation. So keep your word, or you'll be dead meat.

With this final remark, Boris and Dima exited the building, leaving the broken bandit leader to regain his composure. They met Hip at the foot of one of the large silos overlooking Sultans office, and begun moving towards Truck Cemetery. Boris informed Dimuha of the situation through his PDA. He turned to Hip and Dima and said:

• Good job you too. I told Dimuha to fetch Venya's corpse, they'll hold a proper funeral for him. Dima, good job on the bombs, absolutely perfect timing. Hip, I cannot thank you enough. I'll explain everything to you soon, but your shooting was spot on.

• You think the bastard will hold his word? Dima asked Boris.

Boris nodded. The Redeemed would be safe, one way or the other. In his head, Boris made a silent vow to return here, and to kill that pitiful monster himself. Even if there was peace for now, Venya's blood demanded justice. One day, yet not today.