The Fierce Hearts. (Closed/Syndicate Operation)

[Elthas_Belthasar]

(Closed to Alexander)

Slowly, it spread out from the docks and ports of Serenti. The dock workers started the sport off as a hobby to keep themselves busy when there was downtime. It was during a time that was particularly dark in Corone's history and the sport caught on like wild fire. Already, there were scouts spreading around from the various cities of Corone and looking for contending players to play the sports. It was affectionately called "Blitz Ball" and was largely played in a dome filled with water. The sport was played entirely under water and was an intense bout of skill and wits. Players were often injured during the sessions.

One of the star players was a man simply named Alexander. That was the sole reason that Elthas Belthasar, Syndicate Operative, and Seth Terrentius, Syndicate ranking officer, were present. Elthas was a known Operative for The Syndicate and publically wore Syndicate markings. It was a dangerous time for all of Corone, and The Syndicate were the movers and the shakers. Serenti was a large city in Corone, and had a port in it. Elthas and Seth, who was an older Human wearing an elegant suit, moved through the crowds.

"Are you sure he's here?" Elthas asked.

"I am certain. He is known to attend most of the major meets for Blitz and that is the certainty. What is not certain as his connection to the smuggler trade." Seth Terrentius responded, rubbing his chin. "My boy, if we can recruit him we could get a powerful boon for The Syndicate."

"IF we can recruit him." Elthas said. He didn't like the obscure jobs that Theo Terrentius, Seth's older brother and Syndicate head master for that part of Corone sent them all on. Theo believed Elthas was amongst the finest Operatives they'd seen in ages. Elthas did not doubt what he was capable of doing, he simply felt the mission was a waste of time. "Even if he does join, he's a smuggler. They have no honor." Elthas sighed. The orders had come directly from Theo which was why Seth Terrentius was present with Elthas. There would be no mistakes.

"We need someone like that." Seth insisted. "They can go places we cannot currently go, and offer up more connections into the seat of the empire."

"Whatever is left of it you mean." Elthas corrected.

"There are remnants even now in opposition of the blasted Rangers." Seth found himself saying.

"The Rangers are our enemy as well." Elthas said carefully. "All right, I see your point about making new allies."

"This is orders that do not just come from Theo himself." Seth said. "Elthas, I will not accompany you past this point, I have other business to attend to. Recruit him, you do not have a say in this matter. Just get the job done."

Elthas sighed visibly. "You really know how to put a knife to my throat, don't you, old man?" Elthas asked, but he would see the job done. "Will I have back up?" Elthas asked.

"No." Seth replied. "Elthas. This is serious, get the guy on our side, the orders come from ranking Syndicate members. We could only send the best to perform this duty for our superiors."

"All right. I will see it done, my Master." Elthas said carefully and bowed to Seth. Then, the two parted ways.

***

Elthas walked over towards a particularly burly dock worker. The man was not a native of Serenti, but was a highlander. Still, Serenti docks offered work to all and the pay was good. Elthas got that fellow's attention and walked over to him. The dock worker nodded towards Elthas and the two started to talk.

"What is it, Elf?" The dock worker asked.

"Lookin' for that Blitzer named Alexander. Heard he's famous 'round these parts. Know where I could find him at for some coin?" Elthas asked.

"No need for that, Elf." The dock worker said plainly. He pointed to the Blitz sphere. There were two teams squaring off. "He's in there, you can go to the team's locker rooms after the game. What are you a scout?"

"Looking for sponsored players." Elthas lied. "Gonna pay them star types good money for a team out of my home town."

"Where's your home town at?" The dock worker asked.

"You ask too many fucking questions for a dockhand. Where it's from is for me to tell Alexander. Good day to you." Elthas smirked towards the dock worker and made his way to the locker room area. Or at least where he presumed the lockers were stationed near the blitz area.

He approached another dock worker. "You there, dockhand." Elthas said with an arrogant sounding accent. "Where do the blitzers congregate?"

"You mean the team's halls?" The dock hand asked. "Yonder." He pointed in the general direction of the team halls.

"Thank you." Elthas said. Then he made his way towards the area where teams prepared for games. Elthas walked with a confident step. He currently was acting as a recruiter looking for a Blitz Ball player, nothing more than that. He made his way through the crowds of spectators and eventually found the team hall that was mentioned. A guard was present, but he was watching the game.

"Halt. State your business." The guard asked when Elthas approached.

"Recruiter." Elthas lied.

"What team?" The guard asked, he turned his attention to Elthas.

"Jadet Bombers." Elthas knew enough about Blitz to know the current teams in the league. It functioned somewhat like The Citadel Leagues, with gamblers and everything.

"All right. You may enter." The guard said.

As Elthas passed, Elthas looked at the guard. "Looking for Alexander, you know where I can find him?" Elthas asked.

"Chamber number five is where him and his team usually hang out post game. If you're out to recruit him, good luck. You will need it."

"I make my own luck." Elthas replied. Smiled. And then made his way to chamber number five.

[.Alexander.]

.oO(Sorry for the delay, I've been swamped with work.)

It would not leave a lasting mark in Corone and Alexander had no reason to think otherwise. The sport, though invigorating and popular as it was, could not hope to hold the interest of the populace for too long. It was far too tame when compared to the gladiatorial exploits of the coliseum’s denizens and not an easy exercise for any man to engage in. Dockworkers and sailors had a natural knack for it, spending as much time near the water as they did, but the inland folk—those unaccustomed to a life at sea, found the underwater sport taxing. No, Alexander realized that his newfound calling was a temporary one, at best, but it lined his pockets and that was enough for now.

He sat alone in the chamber, water still clinging to his bronzed skin, trickling down his slumped figure to form a puddle on the floor. Bare feet savored the cool sensation of the freshly polished marble floor, a lone foot propping on a knee as the muscled athlete leaned back onto a long recently varnished wooden bench—one of many scattered throughout the chamber. Stretching along the length of the bench, Alexander pulled his other foot onto the wooden surface and stretched his arms out until a series of cracks eased some of the tension in his spine. A scarred knuckle reached out and wrapped against the wooden cabinets that served as each player’s storage, a reminder to clean it out before he left.

His teammates had already made their way out, planning an evening of drinking and carousing in honor of their victory. Alexander thought it all to be a load of shit. They’d be drinking and carousing whether they’d won or lost, so he saw little point in attending. His mind pondered other matters at the moment—the acquisition of a vessel, being the first priority. He’d no issue with Corone, since his release he’d found the nation to be a veritable hub of opportunity. He’d found steady work and even managed to line up a few profitable, if slightly illegal, jobs. As clouds passed overhead, the room grew dim and soon brightened as sun beams pierced the large window overhead, blinding the smuggler, if only for an instant.

Heavy hands shaded his eyes as tanned lids tightened into a squint, fighting to regain vision. Sitting up, Alexander hung his head and wiped drops of water from his bare shoulders. Though he found a great deal of enjoyment in the past time, he knew it wasn’t something he could rely on and though the dock offered steady work, it hardly provided the amount of coin Alexander desired. He knew a vessel, even a poor one, opened up doors to higher paying jobs. Turning to face his cabinet, Alexander opened the small wooden door and began to claim his items, tugging his leather footwear on last. The sound of approaching footfalls, prompted the man to cross a pair of muscled arms over his barrel chest—allowing fingers to grip the handle of his field knife tucked away in a shoulder holster. It seemed paranoid, no doubt, but a stint in prison didn’t necessarily earn one the grandest of admirers.

A dark brow arched, as a quizzical look overtook his features.

“Looking for something, friend?” he asked, amiably enough.

[Elthas_Belthasar]

Once Elthas arrived at Chamber number five, he studied the lone occupant in the room. It seemed clear to him that the man was physically strong, an asset that Elthas himself lacked. He looked at Alexander for a moment, and when the question was asked, Elthas smiled.

"Ah. Forgive my manners, you must be Alexander if I am not terribly mistaken?" Elthas spoke with a posh Jadet accent. He smiled gently as he looked at the muscled man, in terms of height, Elthas and the athlete were on par with one another. But the athlete, Elthas noticed, had muscular mass and weight on him. Elthas was built more for speed regardless. Elthas kept himself in a relaxed composure, talking quickly. But his tone suggested all business. "Hell of a game you played out there. I'm glad to have seen you win one of them." Elthas said casually, complimenting the athlete. As he stood there, he kept a respectful pace or two away from the athlete to show he meant no harm. "I represent a Faction that is looking for long term workers. Probably will pay you a prettier penny than dock work, it would seem." Elthas removed a folder from his packs. "Contract, if you take my meaning. Can pay you myself out of pocket for a few jobs, and we can work permanent employ from there."

"Here is the contract." Elthas handed the folder to Alexander, standard Syndicate contract. "The Faction I represent is The Terrentius Estate. We hire out very often. Look for the best of the best, if you take my meaning. And you're one of the star athletes playing Blitz Ball at the moment. I was told you would be a prime candidate for The Terrentius Estate. My colleagues are Seth and Theo Terrentius." He was certain that upon hearing the name Terrentius, that Alexander would realize he was representing The Syndicate. It would not matter. Seth had told him everything he needed to know about Alexander. "If you wish to find real work, I can get you started right away." Elthas said. "By the way, I am Elthas. Elthas Belthasar." Syndicate Operatives never revealed their rank and file to an outsider, it was considered taboo unless The Operative trusted the outsider.

"And before you ask, yes, I am an Elf." Elthas pointed towards his long, triangular ears. He kept a friendly composure the entire time he laid it all out on Alexander. "There is a job I could use extra muscle on if you are interested. I can pay you good money for it out of my own personal funding." After handing the contract to Alexander, Elthas extended a hand to the athlete, and smiled again. "What do you say Alexander, ya interested in real work?" Elthas asked.

That's our secret: we kill you with kindness... Elthas thought to himself but would allow the athlete to make his own mind up about the work being offered. "If you accept, I can brief you on the mission." Elthas said carefully.