Signus looked down at the short man who stood before him, a slight
frown on his face.  He didn't like that Mr. Zochi had hired the scum, but he
knew it was necessary for the task to which he had been assigned. "You have
done your job well," Signus said to him, "I will see to it that you are paid the
full amount that was promised to you."
        "I demand a bonus," the man said angrily, "I delivered him ahead of
schedule, he did a lot of damage to my pets, and  my partner is badly hurt."
        Signus sighed; he didn't want the greedy scum walking away with more
than he was due, but it seemed he had no choice.   He needed him for another
task and then his usefulness will end.  After which he could languish in a cell along
with all the others in the prison. "Very well.  I have this to offer you, I
will pay you in full for this job and you can stay here while your partner
heals. Then in a week you will set out for your next task at triple what I
am paying you for this one."
        The man's eyes lit up at the thought of all that money, washing away
any traces of anger. "Yes, yes that is most acceptable.  Derik will be on his
feet in a week and we shall get going."
        "Very good.  You may leave." The man nodded and turned around,
exiting the room. "What did he say boss?" said a large man who was waiting
at the door.  "We'll get triple for the next job he is going to give us.  You know  
 this is going to be very good for us Derik.  We may be able to retire."  
"Dat's great boss, cuz I don't see too good no more." The large man
rubbs a patch which lay over where his left eye used to be. "Yes Derik, I
know he hurt you and he hurt Spectra to.  But now he is paying for it!  They'll
pound what they want from him and then leave him to rot in that cell for
eternity, heh heh." "Yeah, Dats good boss."

*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *
 Up in a cell Terico hung.  He was in pain considering his options for escape but they
were slim. They had him hanging on the wall with some manacles, his window was
too small to squeeze through, and he was guarded around the clock.  He didn't
like his odds, so he hung wondering what they could possibly want him.  But what was
worse Terico felt like something was not right with the world and he needed to get to his 
clan to learn what was happening before it was too late.