The Andre Miller Saga

Andre Miller 30 The Chain

"Random acts of violence my ass!" said Andre angrily, "That witch thinks she's being sneaky by using non-thralls to do her dirty work."

"Even if it's her, and it obviously is, we can't prove it. The vandals that we've caught are all, how did the cops put it, youthful offenders, who are trying to find kicks." Caleb replied.

"Can I start yelling get off my lawn and shooting them with rock salt yet?" asked Conroy.

"That would be funny as hell," said Frankie, "but I think the cops would throw a fit."

"We just have to change up our security routine a bit," said Tilly as she began jotting notes, "we'll upgrade to grade three pushers and shockers and we'll tie a dye enchantment into each one. That way anyone who sets one-off will be magically marked for a week with a florescent, glow-in-the-dark, hunter's safety vest orange."

"We could also combo grabbers and screamers," added Kyle, "wrap them up for 4 hours and set off a wailing alarm that can be heard 3 blocks away. Instant citizen's arrest."

"I still want to shoot them." Grumbled Conroy.

"Dad, that's what she wants. Us to break the law so we get the hassle of the cops. But I do agree a bit of retaliation feels like it wouldn't be out of place." Said Andre, "Caleb can we retask those storm elementals from last year? Just have them sneak in through the vents and hang there and do their dirty work same as before. Oh, and give them cart Blanche to smoke any imps they find."

"Yeah, I can do that. Plus, I've got to reapply the contracts with the observer elementals."

"It's only been two weeks since we made the new truce and she's already pushing it. I should have taken Henshaw up on his sniper idea!" Andre said as he angrily paced the kitchen.

"I have been thinking about our money, I don't want to say problems, because we're very much flush plus some, but getting the funds to get the elemental essence. I want to lead a group of me and a set of security guards down to Marathon and see if there's anything left of the dragon. It's most likely just a skeleton at this point, given rats and other carrion eaters. But that's still a literal ton of bone, horn, talon, scale, and claw. No one but us knew it was even there and we closed up behind us." Mentioned Caleb.

"Have you talked it over with Henshaw at all?" asked Frankie.

"Yeah, he wants 20% of anything we take, which I think is reasonable. If it's a wash it's no harm, no foul." Replied Caleb.

"Yeah, make that happen. Roll out in a couple of the security SUVs. Go north and then circle south to throw the wicked witch off of your trail. Now the next question is what can we do, legally," Andre said pointing at Conroy, "To return the favor, besides the elementals."

"Did the treaty stipulate all celestials or just warriors?" asked Tilly with an evil grin.

"Any celestial being or celestial creature with the purpose or intent of causing harm or damage." Andre read from the treaty, "That's the basics, there are about 20 more lines of withs and therefore."

"Have celestials/ elementals convince animals to harass Houseton, Reba, and Kline employees at the work sites and kick on the high-fi singing 24/7. Same for birds, squirrels, rats, crickets, anything, and everything that makes an annoying noise, and kicks into overdrive around the HRK buildings. Hard to get work done when tweedy bird and Margo the Squirrel are doing a super loud duet on your window sill. Convince all the pigeons in the area that the HRK parking lots are the best place in own to drop poo. Make their work lives hell. Every time they go into the office it's bird war III. If it's nature doing the deed, it's not us doing the work." She said wringing her hands maniacally.