The Devil Woman of Philat

Chapter 5:Complex

 "Little Rich Boy, She's gonna find you."

Asia-Little Rich Boy

Mantrakas

Ripner was playing cards with Dastur, Vanderbeek, and Cronin when his wristcom started beeping.

"That time already?" he thought and then glanced at the cards in his hands.

"I fold." he said before tossing them on the table and getting up.

The Doberman went up to the second floor of the mountain lodge and entered his personal quarters. The room was sparsely furnished, containing only a bed, dressers, and a desk which the canine seated himself at. Ripner put on an earpiece and powered up a communicator on the desk.

"Agent Burgundy, reporting in. Repeat, Agent Burgundy, reporting in."

After a few seconds, a heavily distorted voice replied. "Crimson King acknowledges."

Ripner leaned back in his chair.

"What would you have of me this time?"

There was a pause, and then. "The ingratitude of the Philat aristocracy cannot go unanswered. We made many of them what they are today. One in particular, Erich Mueller, has even attempted to blackmail me."

Ripner nodded, even though the other person couldn't see him.

"Mueller is holed up in his compound in Mantrakas's southern hemisphere. Dispatch the bounty hunter to eliminate him and destroy any evidence he might have. If any of the others still balk, they will suffer the same consequences."

The Doberman folded his hands on the desk.

"How will they know it's us?"

"I will contact them."

Ripner raised an eyebrow.

"With all due respect, are you sure that's wise?"

"Your concerns are warranted, but nevertheless, I feel they will not go to the Congregation. They are too frightened of losing their wealth and influence."

The canine took a breath.

"Very well, it shall be done."

"One last thing. I have been informed by Agent Maroon that the Congregation has formed a task force to capture the bounty hunter. The former Black Sun is involved."

"She knows nothing about our plans. We're just insurgents as far as she's concerned."

"Good, see to it that it stays that way. Crimson King out."

"Agent Burgundy out."

Ripner leaned back and stretched out his arms.

"Looks like I've got some calls to make.

The Next Day

Located among the forests of southern Mantrakas was a sprawling, hexagon-shaped complex built by billionaire industrialist Erich Mueller as a safe house. It boasted the best security systems Philat could offer and had an army of trained guards.

"And today." Aurra thought as she crouched down in the back of a hovertruck that was bringing in supplies. "Mr. Mueller finds out that no place is safe from me."