Goddamn it, I hate paperwork. And I don't care if the bosses read it, cause they know it, and I don't care if they know it. Anyways, out with this durn paperwork already.
So we went to Bretonia, to do a buncha deliveries pre-ordered. Joined up with new guy flyin' the 11th Vehicle, and we rolled. We found a pretty haul along the way, good stuff for the cooks boss insist to have on board. I could do without the stink, but hell, job's a job.
We met a Zoner, named Uther. He ordered a colorful Tuna Fish Pizza, that was good. What was great was that he donated nearly Twelve million credits for our company to expand, provided we named the Tuna Fish Pizza "Uther's Delight." Well, if the guy has nothing better to do with his money, I ain't blamin' him, that's something for brass to look into.
There was this Interspace guy, he ordered Five pizzas, complete with Choco Lava cakes, bread toppings, and a buncha drinks. Ryan...something? Damn, I am bad with names. We delivered, and we recieved another donation. This time, nearly 2 million credits. If this doesn't make the bosses happy, they can have a go at my wife, cause that's all I can give them above this!
Onwards to Leeds, we hit a fight. A big fight. Looks like the Kusari-Bretonia war is a real war, not the paper war we got over at home. Lots of explosions. I swear a big blue ball...they call it a Mortar, just passed by me. Looked nasty. You don't pay me enough for this!
Then Eleven and I sold to a Corsair, Shaulaunca's...something, and a Kraut-sounding guy. At least, that's how they sound in those damned spy-vids. They paid promptly, then Eleven said that shift was up, and I was at the bar faster than you can say "PIZZA DING DONG".
Damian Hudson looked around his office. Pizza delivery had leased a small skyscraper in Western Manhattan as headquarters. Ever since his marriage to Sarah, he'd taken active interest in the corporation she and Kaylee had started. He took puffs from his cigar, which dissipated around the dimly lit room. Very dimly lit room.
While the sisters had done a fair job of making the business and keeping it stable, Damian had other plans. No business ever got off the ground without a little bit of the underhanded, something Sarah didn't appreciate. He tapped out his cigar, and waited for his guest.
His phone rang.
"A certain Papa Gambino wants to meet you, sir". It was his secretary.
Damian smiled. "Send him in", he said.
Within five minutes, a man in a business suit walked in. Trim, Papa Gambino was a hard faced man that moved assuredly, yet cautiously, his eyes everywhere. Despite Damian's assurances, the man would never let his guard down. In his place, Damian certainly wouldn't.
He remained seated. "Ah, Gambino, grab a seat" he said coolly. This had to be done right.
Gambino huffed, and sat down, with no expression on his face.
"Nice place, Dami, but only reason I'm bumbling anywhere near these parts is for you. What is it my friend?" Gambino said. The man had an exotic accent. Gambino proudly traced his roots to Italy on Earth, long forgotten. Twirling his thick mustache, he looked at Damian piercingly.
"For old time's sake of course, but also, a business proposal."
Gambino snorted. "You run a bloody pizza corporation now, what, you want my bloody hitmen to sell some pizzas to their targets before drilling them?". He laughed raucously.
Damian smiled.
"As a matter of fact, in a way, I do."
Gambino started, and looked at him incredulously. "Spill the beans gringo" he said tersely.
Damian leaned forward. "I wont bore you with details, but the simple fact is, we aren't selling enough. People eat that dratted flaming Synth paste or some Kusari fish-on-a-stick. We hit hard initially, but now we aren't growing as much as we'd like to."
He stood up, and began pacing.
"That's where you come in. I want to increase sales and our market share, at any cost", he said coldly. "You are now a big gun in Liberty's underbelly. While you're running your thing, do this for me. Your men are to sell pizzas, at any cost" he finished with a half smile.
Gambino spat. "What sort of fool plan is that? Why do you think I'd risk my men for such a...thing?" he said angrily.
"Very simple. You force feed people. I know you run piracy rings in space and extortion rackets, Gambino. Don't fool me. This is just a variant. You force people to buy pizzas, and stick to buying pizzas. If they don't agree, you put holes in them.
There's more to it of course. We have competitors, including Pizza express, not to mention the giant Synth foods. Disrupt their operations. Blow up their factories. Kill their managers." Damian leaned very close to Gambino and stared at him in the eye. "Anything goes" he finished.
Gambino was smiling now.
"A few details of course, my friend. Payment first of all. Deniability that either of us has a hand in this. Equipment. Men" The Hispanian drawled.
Damian nodded. "Why don't you have a drink? This will take a while..."
