"And what benefit might working with you bring me?"
"Well, aren't you called a vigilante? Don't you move for the good of the people?" he said inquiring
"That's bullshit, people don't move if there is no gain or goal in mind. In fact, I am warier of people who don't seem to have ulterior motives since that means I don't know what they are planning."
He sighs.
"That's a relief, I think so too. Honestly speaking when someone does this kind of Job they either compensation or there's something driving them to do it. I would be more concerned about working with you if your goal was something as naive as getting rid of crime in NYC."
Well, I am not exactly planning on getting rid of it, just bringing it down by completely eliminating most of the underground here as possible. Enough to make it close to impossible for them to make more organized movements again for some years.
"I still haven't heard what I would gain from helping you."
"How about some money."
"That's useless to me, I am in no dire monetary situation."
"I see, in that case. How about some information."
"What type?"
"Where member's of Crimson Night supply their suppliers that sell drugs."
How the hell does he know that name and where the suppliers are. I don't know how long he's been here, but it can't be more than me. More importantly, why does he know that I want to know? This guy is very skilled physically and has some wit to him.
"How do I know what you are telling me is authentic?"
"You can't, but if you work in the underground you know that all information comes with a risk."
What do I do? If I think about it I already took this bet once before. But that was different, M. works around here so I could track him down if he gave me false information, well... probably. Anyways, this guy can leave whenever the hell he wants... All things considered, I'll help him out. Even if the information is false I still gain if we catch this convict.
"... I am considering it. But first, let me hear what you have to say about this little cooperation we will have. Something to call you would be good too."
"Oh yeah, my bad, I'm Jeorge. As you probably guessed I'm a bounty hunter and I've come here to get Lucas the convict."
" I see, so why would you need my help?"
"Well firstly even If I am experienced at this sort of thing it is hard to work in unknown streets. After some digging around trying to find Lucas, I heard some talk about Dark Menace the vigilante. Apparently, he patrols every night, and almost every single day someone ends up in jail. So I figured that someone of your skill might be able to help me around here."
"There are plenty skillful people around here."
"Yes, but most of them already work for someone so I would rather work with someone who has no restrictions. I don't want to end up tied to some crazy shit going on here."
"I see... then one last question. Why did you think that offering information to me would work as a trade for my help?"
"Since you refused money I just thought you had some sort of objective. Since you are doing Vigilante like work and I figured you would want more information regarding the underground. I could assume that your objective is either something or someone. It was mostly a bet though since you could possibly already have the information I had and there was a chance that your goal had nothing to do with Crimson Night."
This guy is very intuitive, he must be pretty good at what he does. I don't dislike him.
"Well, it looks like your years of experience has paid off old man."
"You just don't have enough experience for this kind of thing brat. I take that as accepting my offer?"
"Yes."
"So what's your proposition for now?"
"Let me think."
If we want to know about that convict then we will need to find a place where we can gather some information. In that case...
"Do you know some valuable information that's not from around here?"(Luis)
"Yes??"
"Alright, follow me."
"Where are you taking me?"
"To visit the person who knows the most about what happens here during the night."
"... Looks like you have some pretty good connections brat."
"Well, I'm young and energetic old man."
I memorized the address before and ran there for my morning runs and training as well as when I patrol. So all I had to do for now was head there with Jeorge over here. He seems like a decent guy, for now, he has a clear objective and there does seem to be some sincerity in his words so I'll have him cooperate for now.
We arrive at the alleyway where M. told me that informant would be. But before we enter.
"Stay here for now"
"Understood."
I walk in and see the informant with the tattoo in front of me. Holy shit he's ripped
"Need something? It's dangerous around these parts I suggest you leave." (Informant)
"Information always comes with a price."(Luis)
"... Wait here for now. Dark Menace right?"
"Yes."
"Okay." he starts hurrying somewhere.
"Before that, tell M. that I have some company, he may learn about some things happening outside the city. So if he's alright with it I'll have this person with me."
"...Sure."
I walk away out of the alleyway to inform the old man.
"How was it?"
"Don't know, for now, maybe he'll come, maybe he won't. If it was only me he would definitely come but I'm bringing you along and I'm sure you don't want to give the information you have gathered to some stranger with nothing in return just in case. So I told him we are in a party of two and we'll be waiting."
"... So, why is it important that I have some information regarding things outside of here?"
" The informant's name here is M. He's the biggest information trader in the city. He deals in selling information-"
"I would rather not waste money."
"I'm getting to that old man, you've been alive for 30 plus years, one minute isn't gonna put a dent on that. I have a rather special connection with M. so we can exchange information for information as long as he deems our information suitable enough."
"So it's a gamble?"
"Pretty much, his information is accurate though."
"That is better than anything I guess."
"Yes, so it mostly depends on you, counting on your 'experience' old man."
We wait in silence until the guy with the tattoo approaches us again.
"He'll be here in an hour or so, he's also okay with this guy." He says as he points to Jeorge
"Alright, we'll wait for now."(Luis)
He nods and heads back into the alleyway. We wait there at opposing sides of the alleyway doing some small chat. Which was a bit hard considering that we both avoided our private life as subjects. So all I did was hear some of the old man's exploits as a bounty hunter while we waited and a bit of what I have done around here until the guy with the tattoo came to get us and told us to follow him inside. Doing some twist and turns here and there until we arrive at some random alleyway.
"That's him."(Informant)
I nod my head. I don't sense anyone around here besides M. and us. I start walking towards M. and Jeorge starts following me.
"It's been a while Dark Menace, why don't you visit me more often?"(M.)
"It's kind of hard to get information that I'm sure hasn't reached your ears."
"You could still come around for some socializing."
"I didn't know you were in the business of comedy too."
"You say that, but you brought someone with you, any particular reason?."(M.)
"Sometimes it's necessary to use other people to get what you want."
"You sure you should be saying that within his earshot."
"No problem, we both know we are just using each other to meet our separate goals."
"As blunt and antisocial as I thought you to be."
"Yeah, yeah. This man here is Jeorge, bounty hunter tracking down the convict that came here recently."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. M."
"Likewise," he turns to me, "so I am guessing you came here because you want to know where that convict is?"
"Do you know?"(Luis)
"Some things have reached my ears, the question is if what you have is suitable in exchange, the bounty this time is quite large you see."(M.)
"Do you remember the end of our last conversation M."(Luis)
"...I see now, so you are saying he has that kind of information."
"He's been a bounty hunter for a while now, he just arrived recently and seems diligent at what he does, so I would assume him to know a thing or two."
"I see, do you?"(M.)
"Yes, I don't mind sharing granted that you give me his location. Do you have anything specific that you want to know?"
"In that case, can I hear some information regarding ****."
"...You are quite capable, aren't you? Yes, I know a couple things."
"In that case, some of their recent movements might suffice depending on how specific the information I might add some extra things here and there when it's my turn to speak."
And like that, they started some talk about another organization in Jersey. I followed as much as possible. In the end, M. seemed to be satisfied with what happened. It looks like he is, in fact, planning to expand a bit.
"You seem to be pretty good Jeorge."(M.)
"I appreciate the compliment, is that enough?"(Jeorge)
"Plenty."
"Now it's your turn then."(Luis)
"Always in a hurry and impatient. Did you ever hear the phrase that slow and steady wins the race?"
"I'll remember to leave something behind for you then." (Luis)
Jeorge starts laughing.
"Brat, I thought you acted like an asshole because I was a stranger I didn't think that you could be the same way to an informant you rely on."(Jeorge)
"I know what you mean, he's a very amusing person it's like flattery doesn't exist as a vocabulary word in his dictionary," M. says with a slight smile
I get a little annoyed... I guess it's somewhat true but fuck it.
"So about the convict?"(Luis)
"I'll tell you all I know."