"Are we absolutely certain of this?" said Azrael, his voice low.
"What the White Stars reported hearing in the Dragon camp raised our suspicions," Yuri replied "what was said to the Aryan's in this latest confrontation would appear to confirm it. I'm not sure Travis even knows how close he came today, but what he intends is clear. He's going after Orphan."
Some around the room laughed at the very thought of the delusional loudmouth pitting his strength against the only enemy still to allude the Arctic Wolves, especially in wake of the highs of their most recent victory. Azrael, Nikolai noticed, did not. The extermination of the Piranha's was little more than a side-show, and in the mean time it would seem several new threats had arisen.
"I'll admit the very thought is ridiculous." Azrael mused, breaking though the laughter "Still, it's always possible he could get lucky, and as such we cannot afford to leave this alone. I don't know how long this... Travis, has been our neighbor in this place, but clearly there are still some unwritten rules in which he needs to be educated." He turned back to Yuri. "You will send men, five times as many as Travis possesses, or more if you wish, right into the Dragon's lair. Make sure they are all well equipped and disciplined. See to it that these exact words are relayed to him personally... 'Orphan is Azrael's alone to kill. He, or anyone associated with him, is off limits to The Dragon's; and if Travis doesn't stop waving around the pathetic excuse for a dick he has and tucks it back in his pants, then Azrael will, personally, relieve him of it.' If he attempts to respond with violence, then kill his men, all of them, and take him prisoner. I will then deal with him publicly the next time I pass judgement."
Yuri nodded, his orders received, and left the council.
"Matthias, Nikolai, remain. I have more private matters to discuss with the two of you. The rest of you, leave us!"
Nobody spoke until the three of them were left well and truly alone in the room.
"It would seem that The Dragons are the least of our problems. Our dear diminutive friend above ground appears to have not entirely learned his lesson. To attempt to pass off his coup inside the Aryan's as the Zulu's work was surprisingly amateurish by his standards. Perhaps we touched a nerve when we made him look a fool the first time..."
"The Aryan's are still co-operating fully. In fact, they're even more complicit than before." Matthias spoke up "If Sticks was planning to betray us then he's going about it in a particularly unorthodox way."
"Their actions are irrelevant!" Azrael interrupted sternly "Mutual goals do not make friends. The Aryan's were ours, now they are his. That's what matters."
"What does Master suggest?" said Nikolai, breaking his usual silence.
"I'm glad you asked. Like it or not, we can't do anything about Sticks directly. He's still our top supplier after all, and the sort of influence he wields is not easily replaced. I think, however, that he overestimates the importance of the Aryans to us. One pawn is as good as another after all. This is where you come in Matthias. You will make contact with the leadership of the Crips, under absolute secrecy. They don't know who the Aryans are taking their orders from, and even if they suspect our involvement, it won't take much to allay their mistrust. You will tell them that the Arctic Wolves are most concerned with the increased aggression of the Aryan Brotherhood, and that we're willing to negotiate and allegiance with the Crips, and the Zulu if they are willing, against the Aryans. Queen Bongani and her new friends in the Crips know that their fight against the Aryan's will be bloody. However, if they join ranks with us, then combined we have the strength to crush them with minimal casualties to ourselves. At worst, the Zulu will reject the offer, in which case the Crips will abandon them for our greater strength, leaving the Zulu friendless, and no threat to us.
In doing this, we will take away Stick's new toys and leave him with only one option. Deal with us, or nobody at all. The Crips will be less inclined to turn for him due to their history of discrimination from the Wardens. Beyond that, he can't show any open aggression towards us without openly admitting his own corruption, thereby ruining himself in the process, which he's not likely to do."
Matthias grinned in approval to the plan, and even Nikolai nodded.
"See it done." said Azrael "Now, Nikolai and I need to speak alone.
