Verahl:
"It's rather simple. Barzan is saying vandals have hit his store once again. He's talking about hiring others to watch the market. Just a quick meeting to reassure him things will be handled," Verahl said as indicated for Raven to follow him.
The two of them walked up the stairs and out of the base. They started to walk down the streets towards the markets. The locals made room for each of them as they passed, some recognizing their faces but most recognizing the armor and the meaning of it. Things had changed in the past few months. The impact Archangel had made on the station was immense. He had only been on Omega for a short while, but in that time he had caused a major upset in the power that was held. Blood Pack, Eclipse, and the Blue Suns were each still crippled by the damage done. Bases had been destroyed, countless soldiers had been lost, and the leadership to each of them was still struggling to reform. Most of their assets and holds on the station were quickly severed as Aria and several other independent factions worked together to drive most of the remnants out, leaving Omega to be once again divided up amongst the strongest. Before, Aegis simply worked as a mercenary company, leaving much of the territory around them to be ruled by a gang funded by the Eclipse. However, since their destruction, Aegis was able to fight against the local gang and destroy it, coming to hold much of the district as their own.
In essence, Omega was easiest to identify as being close to a feudal state. Since there was no organized authority, districts were ruled by armed gangs that would run the area how they saw fit. While some remained autonomous, having locals work together to keep their district safe, most simply paid a small fee to whoever was able to keep the district secure. Most of these collectors would normally be simple fronts for bigger organizations. Aria's Empire was the biggest, having over a third of Omega under her protection and control. While her personal Empire might have been too large, her money could be traced to dozens of other gangs that would control different areas and make up her rule. This was also true for the other major powers in Omega, the Blue Suns, Blood Pack, and Eclipse. Each of them had much of their power linked from a network of gangs. If one of their territories was attacked or harmed, the other gangs would help defend it. Since the destruction of both a large amount personal forces was destroyed alongside their leadership, Omega was drawn into a power vacuum. The gangs that used to serve together were slowly cut off from one another as organization and structure was slashed. This weakness was capitalized on by much of Omega. Many districts now saw new leaders from smaller gangs, mercenary companies, or even by the people themselves that overthrew the previous powers. Those too weak to stand up for themselves against the remnants were funded by Aria, in an attempt to control even more of Omega. Now the Blue Suns, Blood Pack, and Eclipse barely hold anything on Omega. Small numbers remain, running few districts, with the attempts to reinforce them being crushed.
Verahl reflected on this, knowing now that if Aegis was to continue to hold this district, its future would have to be in expansion. The weak would soon be crushed or assimilated into stronger companies, until once again, only the strongest remained. It was apparent to him that by the end of the struggle, only a few powers would once again remain with vast networks extending throughout Omega.
Might as well try to come out on top.
The doors to the butcher opened, as Verahl and Raven walked inside. A small ringing was heard, notifying Barzan customers were in the store. The old Batarian walked out from the back towards the counter, but his voice could first be heard coming from around the corner.
?Just a second,? he yelled, from the back before he came out. ?Welcome to my butcher, is there anything--- About damn time you showed up! This is the second time now I?ve complained about these vandals! Why haven?t you dealt with them already?!?
He turned and glared at Raven.
?And you, always the damn humans that are the fault of this! I tell you, its those boys that go through the alleys. Think they?re a gang or something. They?re filth! All of them! They do nothing more then drink and cause trouble! I want them taken care of, you hear me?!?
Verahl sighed, and nodded slowly.
?We?ll have someone look into it Barzan,? he said slowly, trying his hardest to sound like he seriously cared about the matter.
While most other storeowners would take care of smaller problems like these themselves, Barzan expected it to be handled for him. Verahl had decided early on however, that it would be best to at least humor the old Batarian, and have someone occasionally do what he requested so he didn?t come storming into the base, brandishing a frying pan and threatening the Krogans.
?You better!? exclaimed Barzan as he stomped into the back once again. The sounds of a cleaver hitting a hard board could be heard now coming from there, as he worked out his frustration on the meat.
With that, Verahl nodded to Raven, as the two walked out of the store. They walked back down the street from the market towards their base. As they passed by a small café, Verahl started to explain to Raven why it was sometimes best to do things such as this when they weren?t expected to.
?You see, it builds up respect and acceptance in the rest of the community,? Verahl said as he continued his rant. ?We have to build up trust with them if we?re going to hold this district for a long term. It?s best to show them we?ll at least cooperate and help them.?
The doors to their base opened for them as Verahl wrapped up his speech.
?Anyways, just remember why we?re doing this right now. If we?re going to expand, we should at least make sure we have a solid hold here. Now, go on and spread the word to the others that we?ll be heading out tomorrow to meet with another Company. We won?t be heading out to kill them or anything. Instead this is going to be the start of a few talks to see if we can work out a beneficial alliance between our factions. Still, in case things go sour, I want everyone prepared. Now go back to the others. Work is done for today.?
