A Werewolf In Under-Town

The long walk back to the bar went by surprisingly quickly. Shaggy was sure that the Rakgu crime family was going to try to ambush them again. But their return went perfectly and quietly. The civilians giving them a wide berth. Although carrying a bunch of swords and the few guns they had gotten from the Rakgu probably helped. Or maybe it was the two large K-Tech rifles Petra and Vlad were still carrying.

After a quick, whispered conversation, Shaggy and Vlad agreed they should keep one of the rifles at the bar at all times. The fact that they had brought both of them was not only stupid, but overkill. Petra seemed annoyed that she hadn’t gotten to fire her rifle. But the scrum in the alleyway was way too close-quarters for the heavy duty rifle. Once they had informed her of their plans, she perked up a bit.

Shaggy talked to the Lackeys about Rashi’s healing powers as they moved. But most just explained that they had been stuck with a needle and their wounds had healed. Shaggy wondered if it was magic or a mutation. He had been a little preoccupied to check the scent markers. Also, openly sniffing women seemed a little sketchy. So did sneakily sniffing women, now that he thought about it.

“So, when do you want to do it?” Vlad asked.

Shaggy shook off his thoughts as he answered. “The sooner the better, I feel. With a K-Tech rifle and a few Lackeys at the bar, we can relax a little on security. Plus, we don’t know how long the Phreaks are going to stay as disjointed as they are. Best to hit them quick.”

Vlad nodded in agreement as they took a winding alley back toward the bar. They had discussed at length about hitting a Phreak stash house. Of course, finding one was the bigger issue. They both agreed that it was another job for Slink or Ephemara. Angering the Phreaks was still a dangerous proposition, but one they were both okay with. Petra, who was walking ahead of them, spoke up.

“Are we hitting the Phreaks? Right after a dust-up with the Raks?” She asked worriedly.

“Yep. But if all goes well, our Rak problem will be taken care of soon. Also, if we are careful with the Phreak job, they won’t even know it’s us.”

Petra wrinkled her nose. “What’s the Phreak job?”

Shaggy gave Vlad a curious look. But the vampire shrugged his shoulders. Sighing, Shaggy explained their plan to rob a Phreak stash house for pharmaceuticals. For some reason, he felt the need to specify that they weren’t getting into selling drugs. Not just yet. They only wanted the medicines to trade with the Needle Sisters. Petra looked thoughtful before she shouted a question to one of the other Lackeys.

“Hey, C’eereni! Is your cousin still a junkie, or has he cleaned up yet?”

A dark green Alien spoke up from the back of their marching column. “Yeah. He’s all fucked up. Uncle Toh’throk says if Y’lek is still hitting that shit by next week, he’s gonna toss Y’lek out of the house for good.”

Petra glanced at Vlad and Shaggy, smiling proudly. Shaggy raised an eyebrow, but grinned as Vlad asked.

“So, do you know where your cousin gets his drugs?”

They had all come to a stop as C’eereni moved to the front of the line. He glanced at Petra before he answered.

“Uhh, yeah. I mean, sure, boss. There’s a Trap House west of the Arena he frequents. It’s run by the Phreaks. Well, it was. But that was before their boss bit the big one. I don’t know who runs it now.”

Shaggy grinned as he patted C’eereni’s shoulder. “Could you go find out for us? We have to make sure the Phreaks are still running things. Be careful and as soon as you figure it out, make your way back to the bar, okay?”

C’eereni glanced at Vlad and Shaggy before he smiled happily. “Sure thing, boss. I can do that.”

“Good man… uh Alien. Hop to.” Vlad said.

As C’eereni rushed off to follow orders, Vlad and Shaggy turned back to a smiling Petra.

“Remind me to give you a raise, Petra.” Shaggy joked.

“You don’t pay me, boss.”

Vlad snorted. “What’s that rifle you're holding?”

They continued walking as Shaggy added. “We haven’t paid you yet. But you’re the bar’s manager. So your wage will come from the bar. Also, any credits you pick up from the Raks are yours to keep.”

A small cheer went up behind them as the rest of the Lackeys heard what Shaggy had said. Vlad was quick to add a caveat while glared at Shaggy.

“Just make sure the crew gets it share. Whatever everyone makes, a portion of it goes back into the gang. Alright?”

A grumble of assent went up from the Lackeys, and Petra nodded in understanding. Shaggy shrugged apologetically at Vlad. He could see the need for a communal pot of money for the gang. But he really wasn’t thinking that way. Shaggy knew that he was going to have to think about the overall payment structure of the gang, and he sighed. Although he might be able to push the clerical work to Vlad or Ren.

Soon the squat rectangular-shaped building that was the bar came into view. Shaggy heard the others sigh in relief as what was quickly becoming home came into view. They all went into a quick jog as they made a rush to the front door. Vlad and Shaggy let the Lackeys pile in first along with Petra. The surprised exclamation of Mr. Blue was drowned out as a flurry of voices started demanded drinks.

Shaggy was headed inside when a fast moving blue ball appeared in the trash-filled square in front of their bar. The ball bounced several times as it rolled forward, approaching the bar. Shaggy and Vlad prepared their claws and nails for a fight. But the ball came to an abrupt stop and Shaggy could see a human body encased in the middle of the ball. The body was ejected from the blue orb as Blobby reformed themselves into their more humanoid-like shape.

“~Found a builder, boss. I had to go topside for one. None of the ones down here will work without Big Four permission~” Blobby burbled in their water voice.

Vlad knelt near the short, balding human man that Blobby had spat out, as Shaggy nodded in appreciation.

“Awesome work, Blobby. It wasn’t any trouble?”

Blobby shook their head-like protrusion as Vlad checked for a pulse. “~Naw. He was heading home when I nabbed him. Also, it’s night topside, so no one saw me~”

Vlad laughed as he slapped the man in the face. “You’re a treasure, Blobby. I’d say go have a beer. But Ren and Tinsel aren’t back with the good stuff yet.”

Blobby laughed as they rolled into the bar. “~Water is more than enough for me, boss~”

Vlad slapped woke the unconscious builder, who blearily opened his eyes. He glanced between Shaggy and Vlad before he asked with both fear and trepidation.

“Where am I?”

Shaggy chuckled darkly as Vlad revealed his fangs. “Well, you ain’t in Austin anymore.”

Vlad shot him a look, dropping his menacing face. “Well… technically…”

“Oh, would you stop? Why do you and Ren always undercut me when I am trying to be evil?”

“Because you’re doing it wrong.” Vlad said.

Shaggy knitted his brows in confusion. “I am being evil... wrong?”

Vlad nodded. “Yes. He is under Austin, so he is technically still in Austin.”

“I was trying to be menacing. Y’know, because he is in an unknown location and he doesn’t know… and he’s trying to run away.”

Shaggy and Vlad glanced from the argument to see the man running for a nearby alley. Vlad sighed and as flitted toward the man. Vlad appeared next to the shorter man and gripped his shirt and lifted. They walked back toward Shaggy; the builder looking a mixture of ashamed and angry. Vlad gave the man a shake and said in his accented voice.

“Do not try that again, my friend. I might be forced to drain you dry.”

“Oh yeah, that sounded evil. Threaten him with a good time.” Shaggy groused.

He was sure Vlad’s pale cheeks got some color in them as the vampire shouted. “You know what I meant!”

Shaggy put up his hands and waved at the builder. “Can we please get to our offer?”

The bald man squinted at Shaggy as Vlad set him down. “Offer?”

“Yeah,” Shaggy said, pointing at the bar. “We want to turn that into a bar.”

The builder scoffed. “Well, good luck with that. It’s a piece of shit.”

“What my friend means.” Vlad said, still in vampire-mode. “Is that you will make that into a bar for us or we’ll kill you, then go topside and kill your family?”

The bald man glanced fearfully back at Vlad. Shaggy also gave the vampire a look. “Really, dude?”

“Evil.” Vlad said simply.

“Look, you two. I’m just a construction foreman, okay? I have none of my guys down here and none of my equipment. What the hell am I supposed to use to build what you want?”

Shaggy nodded in understanding. “We have plenty of crew that are more than willing to help. Plus, anything you need, we can steal.”

“Also, you know, if you don’t do it. Dead family.” Vlad chuckled.

Shaggy and the foreman glanced at Vlad. The foreman shook the fear from his face and focused on Shaggy.

“Look. You seem reasonable. I can’t just magic together a bar for you guys. I’m sorry.”

Vlad loomed behind the man as Shaggy grimaced. “I get that. But we need to get this done. As quickly as possible. So what’s it going to take? As you are no doubt aware, we are some not-so-reputable people. So let’s say you do this favor for us and we can do a favor for you.”

“What kind of favor?” The foreman asked. Voice quivering as Vlad put his pale hands on the man’s shoulders.

“Well, that depends on what you need, doesn’t it? You get my guys a bar where they can relax and hang out in. They’ll be pretty grateful.”

“And I’m sure you’ve got a few problems topside that you’d like to make go away.” Vlad said, as his black nails visibly grew and dug into the foreman’s shoulders.

The short bald foreman thought about it and glanced back at the bar. He blew out a breath as he seemed to take the job in. He winced a little as Vlad’s nails drew small droplets of blood and his shirt was stained with small red spots..

“It’s going to take a lot of work. We’re going to have to take down the entire structure and start from scratch.”

Shaggy nodded. Not willing to speak, as the foreman seemed to be getting on board. The foreman ran a hand over his sweaty bald head. Vlad threw a grin at Shaggy as he maintained his grip on the foreman’s shoulders.

“Going to need a few of my guys, too. Also, better materials.” The foreman muttered. Looking back at Shaggy, he added. “It... uh, ain’t going to be cheap either. I mean, besides the materials you can... find. I mean, my guys will want top dollar for the work.”

Shaggy frowned. But he saw Vlad’s hands tighten on the Foreman’s shoulder. “Oh, don’t vorry, little man. Ve’ll be more than villing to discuss your... payment.”

The foreman glanced at Shaggy, but the werewolf stayed silent. The sweaty man nodded in understanding before saying.

“Yeah, we can discuss payment later. Whe—when the guys get here. I don’t want to speak for them.”

Shaggy clapped his hands as he led the foreman toward the bar. “That is an excellent decision…”

“Frank.” Frank introduced himself as he was forced marched through the bar’s door.

“Frank.” Shaggy nodded. “You don’t want to speak for someone who isn’t here. Now you just give Blobby the addresses of your guys, and they will procure them for us. Also, you are gonna want to talk to Petra. She’ll find a place for you to stay while you’re down here and help with the getting the materiel.”

“I—I can’t--” Frank started before turning and seeing Shaggy and Vlad’s faces. Frank quickly gulped before he nodded in understanding.

Shaggy smiled at Vlad, and the two of them dragged Frank toward Blobby. They explained what they wanted the amorphous blob-person to do, and Frank handed over the addresses of a few of his guys. Shaggy reminded Blobby to stay safe, and they moved over to Petra, who was talking to Mr. Blue.

“Mr. Blue! Petra! This is Frank.” Shaggy said happily as Vlad slammed Frank onto a nearby bar stool that creaked dangerously.

“Frank here is going to transform our bar. Give it a whole new look.” Vlad said with a false cheer.

Petra smiled eagerly as Mr. Blue grimaced knowingly. Blue sat down a glass of water in front of Frank and asked.

“How long will Mr. Frank be staying with us?”

Shaggy shrugged. “Who can say? But his stay will end a lot sooner if we can get him the things he is needs. Petra, I want you to coordinate with him and get some of the guys to go topside for supplies. Tell them to get what we need as... cheaply as possible. I’m sure plenty of them know how to hunt for deals?”

Petra grinned. “Oh yes. A good many of them are avid shoppers.”

“Brilliant.” Vlad smiled. “Also, I was wondering if you knew or had any family that wanted to help?”

Shaggy and Petra glanced at Vlad, surprised. The vampire shrugged. “Well, it’s a big job and we are going to need some extra muscle around here. Frank and his crew are going to need protection. Shaggy and I can’t always be around.”

“Now that can’t be necessary.” Mr. Blue argued, but Shaggy disagreed.

“No, he is right, Mr. Blue. We wouldn’t want Frank or his men in an unsafe environment. We are all going to have to do our part to maintain their safety.”

Mr. Blue gave Frank an apologetic look as Petra giggled. “Oh, I am sure we can find a few friends and family to help watch over them.”

Frank was staring into his dirty glass of water, dejected. So Shaggy threw him a bone.

“So what was the favor that we could do for you, Mr. Frank? We always honor our promises.”

Shaggy and Vlad crowded around the foreman as the bald man glanced up. He seemed to steel himself to say something. Eventually, Frank gulped down his water and grimaced at the taste. Looking at Shaggy and then Vlad, Frank said.

“I want you to ruin a man.”