The board that was filled with the supposed members of Drip Work Inc caught Chance's full attention. There he was, one of the few people in the room taking his time surveying each of the photographs.
These Hellfire Arms were doing more than just damage, more than being about what power it gave the user, he thought as he recalled his previous experiences with some users.
"You ain't got a Hellfire Arm sadly." Valefar spoke as he approached the detective. "And you already put yourself on the line twice. Your bravery is admired, just like you went in war. Although right now you're not fighting foreign enemies, not the Axis."
"I'm still going to do my job." Chance spoke.
"Really?" Valefar replied. "Oh of course you're going to. You've always been entitled to what you do, you're willing to do whatever it takes to get things done."
"For a demon you really have watched my life haven't you?"
Valefar laughed. "Didn't I tell you before when I saw you again in the commissioner's office? I observe people and their lives, oftentimes it's just for my own amusement, to see how things develop, how this city develops including the people in it. In your case I don't know everything, but of course I remember that you enlisted in the army, and that your grand dad got you involved."
Chance was quiet, still looking at the board.
"War is a heavy thing in all things." Valefar spoke as he leaned against the large round table behind Chance. "One of the greater forms of death and destruction, following angry mobs and people trying to claim so called justice. But back on war, another important thing to consider about it would be the sheer amount of men that are being dragged by other men in power in order to fight a certain type of enemy. Such an enemy would be created by the human being themselves if I have to be blunt." Valefar paused as he was heard smoking a cigarette. Chance didn't look back, he could feel the smoke from the Representative just floating around.
Turning his head to his shoulder, Chance saw a circle made out of smoke. It formed a set of horns on its upper part, before in the middle, a set of eyes and a grin were formed.
"Humans are….destructive creatures." Valefar continued. "As soon as they're provoked, or in the case of the people in this city, drawn to commit evil whether it be because of money or love. Actually when I think about it, people can do dumb shit not because of love, it's lust! Also is it just me or a lot of people try way too hard to prove themselves to another?"
"Some people have a hard time finding their place in society." Chance reasoned. "Let alone life itself."
"This is 1949, what about the next 50 years? Or maybe 100? Or much MUCH higher?" Valefar stood beside the Haverton detective. "I just can't help but wonder how developed human beings will be as time goes on."
"You can figure it out yourself." Chance said as he began to walk away from the board and out of the room. "You're probably older than the Earth itself."
"Ha! You wish." Valefar spoke as he turned to smoke and followed Chance, appearing again in his human form. "I need a favor."
"Do it yourself." Chance spoke. "I gotta head to the Full Moon Hotel-"
"Yeah yeah you could meet your girlfriend later." Valefar spoke of Stacy Hazelton. "There's a guy I need to meet. Owes me something."
"No."
"Not even for a Hellfire Arm?"
"He knows the location of one?"
"Course not, but we could ask him to find it. Besides, whoever freed the Hellfire Arms are from Hell, I don't know shit about where exactly they all are in Morissey. Also, you all need the help you can get, informants to get these Arms. Am I right or am I right?"
Chance crossed his arms as he looked at the Representative. He sighed. "Where is this guy, the one you mentioned."
"He goes by the name of Galley, lives in a beatdown apartment in Port Pembroke off Burgundy street." Valefar spoke as he led Chance outside. Chance soon saw a two seater car dressed in satin black. It had clean silver chrome linings, and the wheels were coated in ivory. For its rims, it was a simple but elegant gray. In front of the car was the hood ornament, and there was a red V on it.
"You drive." Valefar threw the keys.
"This better not be stolen."
"Yeah, sure." Valefar replied sarcastically as Chance got in. The interior of the car was a warm shade of white, but it was as bright as a hospital wall. The two drove past the busy streets of Central, before Chance took a turn towards the Hadyn Bridge. The bridge in particular connected Central with Port Kissel, a vigorous island filled with equally vigorous workers.
During the drive, Valefar rested his hand on his side of the window, looking at the deep blue waters surrounding Morissey. He narrowed his eyes, and from afar he saw a city that seemed equally big to Morissey, but it's buildings weren't as massive.
"That's Harbour City." Chance explained. "They're independent and run things on their own, They have their own flag, their own system."
"Seems odd to still be here."
"Sometimes they ask for help from us. Economy wise they share 15% over what they make at the docks to Morissey, in exchange for giving them complete control over their own trading routes."
"Should I run for Mayor there?"
"Fuck no."
"For comedic reasons, that's a joke." Valefar chuckled as the car entered Port Pembroke. Factories were stationed far in the south, but the smoke coming out from it's giant tubes were as dark as night. "Take just keep on going ahead, till we see the brick houses.
Surprisingly for Chance, Valefar was familiar with certain types of buildings depending on material, and location. Central and the Northern part of Morissey always had the label of rich material labeled on them due to the amount of dollars that went to the project builders' pockets.
As they passed through the many people walking on the street, heading back to work or home, the speakers there were heard.
"Greetings to all Citizens. As we face this Hellfire Arm crisis, you are reminded to remain calm even in the face of danger. Have faith in the state and the people that are putting in their time and energy into ensuring that this city is able to meet the needs of all citizens of the New World. This current announcement features a message from President Newman."
The speakers around town including the ones in Port Pembroke began to change as well. They've been around since after the Crash, and overtime they've been upgraded to be more stiff as well as strong, both in material and voice.
Communication was one of the main factors that ran in the development of the city.
"My fellow Americans. This is President Newman speaking." the president's voice was full of energy but was professional. Chance noticed a number of people standing on the sidewalk to listen.
"We are in the midst of the Hellfire Arm crisis, hellish weapons which have made their way on Earth starting with the New World, particularly Morissey. Following similar incidents of these Hellfire Arms appearing in such cities such as Oyster Bay and Scarburrow. While I have yet to determine whether or not we should involve the help of our nation's military or other countries, it is most certain that I request ALL citizens to cooperate with the city's finest, including the nation's Haverton Detective Agency, to provide information regarding the location of the Hellfire Arms: Do not betray your country by allowing the Arms to fall into corrupt hands."
"Every citizen has a part to play in resolving the Hellfire Arm crisis, and that starts with you. Put some of your time and energy to assist the city's finest in gathering the Hellfire Arms back to where it properly belongs, as mentioned by the Valefar, Representative of the Hell's Gunsmith."
Valefar held his laughs back. He noticed Chance's look that lasted a few seconds. "Yeah, I met the President. Told him the exact same thing I told you and everyone else. Humans need to be more aware of their surroundings, and not necessarily ignorant for the majority of their lives." He paused as they passed a crossroad. "Turn right, then make a sharp left."
"Know this my fellow Americans." President Harry Newman spoke once more. "Is that we are a nation of independence, democracy, and freedom. By help subduing the Hellfire Arms, you are playing your own role in preserving those three principles, as well as serving your country."
"You may judge me for saying this, but any citizen who does not cooperate, takes a Hellfire Arm or themselves or even helps the enemy obtain a Hellfire Arm will be labeled as a traitor to the nation, and I give full authorization for the MPD and the Haverton Agency to deal with such traitors for the sake of our fair nation. I trust all Americans will put any differences, if any, aside and assist in ensuring the peace of the New World."
Chance and Valefar stopped at an apartment building. The Haverton detective and Representative went out of the car just as the announcement stopped.
"A great announcement indeed." Valefar spoke. "But even greater to see how much of humanity will ensure the peace of their own race, putting away their ego in the process.." he turned back to Chance who had an odd look. "Wouldn't you agree?"