Adrian and the gang were at the Dragonspit decompressing with Levi in tow, while Maeve was in a nearby conference room with Maurice. Todd joined them to update them on their progress and how things have been going since their excursion south in Unwoke territory.

  "I'm leveling up fast. I think with the addition of the Personal AI going active and the-"

  A piece of glass broke against the wall of the conference room when everyone heard Maeve yell, "If you're trying to FUCK us, then at least take us out to dinner first!" Maurice looked distraught as their negotiations were in full swing. Todd continued,

  "Next, I want to get my hands on those delivery trucks and modify them. I like the idea they had with the turret on one of them." Tood smirked, "I think I can do better and make a true nightmare on wheels."

  "Do you even need wheels?"

  Todd paused for a moment, "These trucks will have wheels. But my next creations will fly. With more and more crafters joining the community every day-"

  "WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR, MAURICE! YOU MIGHT AS WELL PUT A COLLAR AROUND MY NECK AND MAKE ME CALL YOU MASTER." Maeve pounded the table in the other room before flipping it as everyone went back to their drinks.

  "Out with it, virgin," Paige said, drinking her bright purple drink. "You have news. I can tell."

  Todd took a massive breath and said,

  "And I've been selected to represent the crafters in the Alliance."

  "Dat's great news, mon!" Brody added in a Jamaican accent. "Someone with actual influence, mon." Brody drank Rolo's newest drink creation.

  "Are you leaving the group?" Adrian asked.

  "Well, I've bee-"

  "No, Maurice! I swear I will get you pregnant with a magical strap-on and have a litter of goblins claw their way out of your ass if you're not going to take these negotiations SERIOUSLY!" Maeve threw a chair, grabbing the attention of the bar patrons for a split second before everyone went back to their drinks.

  Todd was considering what to say next, but the group understood. He wasn't an espionage specialist like the others. Sure, his gadgets and explosives were terrific, but they didn't need him, just his creations. He was better off as a crafter than as an infiltrator. Adrian put his hand on his shoulder,

  "You'll always have a spot with us, but you need to pursue crafting. No reason you can't craft and be part of our team."

  "Thank you, Adrian, but there's no need for that. I'm staying. This group feels more like home than anywhere else I've ever been." Adrian smiled and slapped Todd's back before sipping his beer.

  "I'm not fucking leaving!" Todd shouted with a giant smile on his face. Everyone cheered, Wolf of Wall Street style, at Todd's reference.

  "And I'm not taking the role. I bet the role would come with some clout, but I just want to create some cool shit. I don't want to lead or influence. I'm going to recommend Rolo for the job. He's become a glue of this area and won't be a power-hungry asshole." The group nodded, approving of Rolo for the role.

  A moment later, Maeve emerged from the conference with her head high, her nose almost pointing at the ceiling, a smugness exuding from her. Maurice looked like he had just gone 10 rounds in the octagon as he walked out. They shook hands, and Maurice headed straight to the bar, grabbing whiskey and drinking directly from the bottle. The entire bar stared slack-jawed at Maeve while she walked out of the conference room, a room that wasn't soundproof, before returning to their conversations. Maeve came to our table and gave a recap of her conversation with Maurice,

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Didn't get everything I wanted, but the negotiations went well."

  *****

  Levi

  "The Rangers would like to be a part of this alliance."

  Levi stepped up at this point to talk to the man hunched over the whiskey bottle. Maurice was relieved to talk business with someone other than Maeve. Maurice and Levi quickly hammered out the details on adding the Rangers to the Alliance, with talks to coordinate attacks on their mutual enemy.

  Levi continued to lobby for more support for the Rangers. They were the Unwoke's primary target, and they were facing heavy losses. They need the resources more than any other group. Despite the relentless assaults on their lands, the Rangers continued to hold firm, not losing any ground, but they couldn't last forever.

  Taking down the Unwoke was too big a task for the Rangers and Cucks and Cunts alone. It would require a coordinated effort. It turns out the other group's intelligence also had gathered information on the matter. Some are even aware of their fight in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park(CVNP).

  As they walked outside, a blue jay landed on Levi's shoulder. Levi cast a magic spell on the bird, and it took off to the south to update the Rangers. It was the main reason Levi made the trip. With his magic specializing in animals, he could quickly send messages back to his group using the birds as messengers.

  With the Unwoke stationed directly between the Rangers and the Cleveland Alliance, they would need more discreet ways to convey information. Unfortunately, there's a hard limit on party chat involving physical distance, so that wasn't an option.

  "I will wait here until I hear back from Brock if that's okay", Levi said. Adrian nodded and walked Levi to the Dragonspit to see if Rolo had any additional rooms available.

  *****

  Maurice

  Maurice looked at the AI updates in shock. He never sought power but was given the most prominent title a person could get, at least in the area.

  Title: Council Chairman of Cleveland

  Based on the organizational structure of your region's governing body, you have been deemed the leader of the newly formed Council. You have the final say in all disputes. Don't abuse your power, or your title will change to tyrant!

  Bonus: Your title allows you to create AI buildings in your region.

  Bonus: Your word is final and ends disputes backed by AI influence.

  Bonus: Gain membership to the club called the Big Boy Table.

  Bonus: Words and Speeches are 50% more effective.

  Bonus: Bounty System - You can now add people to the bounty board and place a bounty on their head. Let justice be served.

  Bonus Item: Signet of the Big Boy Table.

  *You can only hold one Title at a time, but you can replace titles. Dropping titles will remove the ability to ever hold the dropped Title again.

  This is too much power.

  Maurice was conflicted. The Council was a sound and balanced structure. They never agreed to a 'Chairman'. It would cause issues, but Maurice would address them as soon as he could.

  The memory of his 'negotiation' with Maeve crossed his mind, causing an involuntary shiver down his spine. She was likely a reason he received his new Title.

  I should have this power over someone like her. Does she have a negotiation skill? No, she's just a menace.

  He never enjoyed negotiating before Nexus. He was constantly leaving money on the table with his employers, in his car and home purchases, and even with his ex-wife. He had a big heart and would do anything he could to help the people of Cleveland, but the negotiation with that woman woke him up. He needed a stronger spine. He'd still be just and democratic, but he couldn't let people like Maeve push him around any further. Their deal was completely one-sided. The cost of ensuring their group didn't get an official council seat wasn't worth it. They gave them an unofficial council seat and all their resources at their disposal, so they could do what they wanted with no oversight.

  Maurice knew they would have to revisit that deal sooner rather than later, but there was just too much going on at the moment. The Council was literally building a town and community from scratch, and it was coming along quickly. It was wonderful to see how quickly and remarkably the Harmony District developed. Yet, having a group specializing in espionage in their midst was worrisome. Maurice sighed as Rolo brought him another drink. "Congratulations, Councilman. Happy to be working more alongside you." Maurice said to Rolo before sighing. "I'll need to bring up the Cucks and Cunts in the next council meeting."

  Rolo just smiled and said, "They mean well, and they want to protect us. Having known assassins in the district can help keep the peace."

  Maurice took a deep swig.

  I'm not so sure of that.