They were in an alcove set aside for some purpose Felix couldn’t discern.
“Why did you invite the media, by the way?” Erica asked.
“Everyone always asks what Legion is like. This…” Felix said, gesturing to the arena, and everyone around it. “This entire thing is Legion. We’re more a family at this point than an organization.”
Ioana stood atop a column in the middle of the arena. In her hands was a pugil stick. She remained there, waiting for someone to challenge her.
“It definitely feels that way! Everyone is so kind and charitable to each other. Is this more of a publicity stunt then?”
“Not at all. This is a company picnic, that the media was invited to. That’s really about it.”
A smaller man took a pugil stick from one side and stepped up onto the column.
Ioana had a feral grin plastered to her face as she swung her weapon lazily in an arc.
“What do you think about the accusations that your opponents have made about you?”
“Which ones? Some are true, some aren’t. The fact that I’m in a relationship with a Beastkin is quite true.”
“How about the one that you’re secretly in league with Skipper? And spying for them? That Legion is actually a front?”
“Lies, all of it. I don’t work with Skipper in any capacity. Legion supports Legion and the people who are its customers. That’s it,” Felix said sternly. “I dare anyone to show me proof at any level. Any shred of evidence at all.”
“Ah—” Erica said, her voice cutting off in a squeak at his tone.
“Sorry. I’m not mad at you for asking, I’m mad at them for making the accusation. It’s so patently stupid, it’s infuriating. Skipper doesn’t need my help or anyone else’s. She took Skippercity all on her on. Now she has even more power than she did,” Felix said, his tone softening.
“That’s ok. I understand completely. I take it from your tone you don’t care for Skipper?”
Felix didn’t respond at first. He watched Ioana toy with her opponent for a minute. Even going so far as to offer advice to him, before promptly knocking him off the column with a jab of her stick.
“I neither like or dislike Skipper. Skipper is a government entity that I work within the scope of in her city. That’s the extent of our relationship,” Felix said.
“Anything to add about the fact that Skipper has been massing their forces? It almost looks as if they’re planning to make a move to the east. Do you think they’re looking to expand?”
That was a bit of a surprise. He hadn’t heard anything about that.
Need to link up with Dimitry and get some of his people in position to watch this.
“I have no comment. I’m more focused on my work and my governor bid.”
“Speaking of work. Any chance I could get you to talk to me about this business security venture we’ve heard about? There’s been a few things here and there, but nothing really about what it is. What it does,” Erica asked, pushing for her story.
Reaching over without looking, Felix hit the stop button on her recorder.
“What do I get, Erica?” Felix said, not taking his eyes off of Ioana.
“I-I-I beg your pardon?” Erica asked.
“Say I give you your story. What do I get? What I did with Jessica wasn’t on accident.”
“I don’t—I’m not, I’m not willing to sleep with you for a story. That is, it’s not that I’m not attract—”
“Stop. Not what I meant. What I want is your support. Will I get a positive story out of it? Spin it in my favor? You do that, and we can talk about the story, and future stories,” Felix said. “I need long-term relationships in the media. Pretty young girls don’t normally get story breaks, or opportunities to get them. I know what my direction is, and I know I’ll be in the news. I need a few more reporters in my corner.”
Turning his head, Felix finally met her eyes and gazed into them.
Erica stared up at him with wide eyes. Her ears were rigid, her face pale.
“If you don’t want this offer, just say the word, and it never happened. You want your story? I want you,” Felix said.
Blinking rapidly, the Beastkin slowly nodded her head.
“I’m yours. Your reporter,” Erica said. There was a touch of shock in her voice that Felix detected.
Well, she is incredibly young, isn’t she? Need to get her the same contract I had Jessica sign.
“Good. We’ll draw up a Legion contract later. You and Jessica will be welcome to discuss it amongst yourselves of course, and any others I include. Though I’ll be looking to only pick up one or two more,” Felix said.
He thumbed the recorder back into the on position. “Why not? The business security idea is something we’re putting together for companies. After watching what happened with that prison break, I realized that I could offer a service. Security. Wholesale security tailored to the needs of each business and reasonable pricing. If they’re afraid of a super attack, they could easily hire super security from Legion. Expecting normal everyday bank robbers? PMC trained security officers ready to take the job. This would be at every level of businesses.”
Erica took in a quick breath and then gave him a smile. “Got it. Any chance of that expanding to a residential side? I imagine there might be some interested parties after what happened in the city.”
Felix shrugged his shoulders, looking back to the arena for a second. Ioana had just cleared another opponent from the column. Turning his eyes back to the rabbit, he smiled at her.
“Maybe. Residential is harder since the scope would be much more limited. At that point, I’d rather buy an existing security company, run it into Legion, and have it as a branch company. Starting up completely new departments is the pits.”
“I could definitely see how that’d work out. It’s certainly an interesting project,” Erica said. Then her face locked up. She turned off her own recorder and stared at him with a sense of panic that was obvious.
“Why me? I know they only hired me a few weeks ago because I’m a pretty Beastkin. They hired me and sent me over here to you because of it. I’m barely out of college! They were hoping you’d make a move or give me a story. All because you clearly show a preference to female Beastkin. Is it just because I’m a Beastkin? Is it because I’m pretty? I don’t understand. I don’t want… I don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but…” Erica paused, her mouth hanging open.
Felix snorted at that.
“Don’t get me wrong, you’re definitely… yeah, definitely beautiful, but I’m already in a relationship. As to why, partially your determination, partially your intelligence. Now turn your recorder back on and stop worrying about it. I’ll also be paying whatever your salary is today, and then tripling it, by the way. So I’m effectively your employer,” Felix said, tapping the recorder. “So how about we keep this moving?”
“I, yes. Yes of course. I’m sorry. This is just all so unexpected,” Erica said. She turned the recorder back on. Staring at it, she was visibly collecting herself.
Felix exploded backwards flipping through the air. A blue glow came up around him as he crashed into a back wall.
He could faintly hear Erica shrieking, and the sound of sustained gunfire.
With a shake of his head, Felix got to his feet and stumbled to one side. Trying to get out of the line of fire. Or so he assumed. There was only one direction a clear shot could have been taken on him.
He didn’t know if it was a rifle, magic, or a power, but regardless of the source, he didn’t want to stick around.
The charm resting on his collarbone popped loudly and shattered.
Damn, that was strong, whatever it was.
Taking a leap and a guess, Felix rolled in a tumble behind a crate. Laying flat to the ground, he squirmed around until he limited what could be seen of him. Then he did the only thing he could in a set of bathing shorts and a towel.