Chapter 87 - Revolution

<---Chapter 86 - Prison Break|Table of Contents|Chapter 88 - Same Old Routine--->

[Wages, safety and unity!]

"Wages, safety and unity!"

[Wages, safety and unity!]

"Wages, safety and unity!"

Arctech radio chanted protest slogans as a general strike was called the very next morning, the entire district grinding to a halt as hundreds upon hundreds of workers took to the streets, marching towards the factory with pickets and signs. "FREE US FROM SLAVERY!" They called out, their advance indomitable. A few of them were clearly missing hands and limbs, being supported by their comrades as they protested for a better future.

They moved through pellet-ridden streets, burning wagon wrecks and destroyed storefronts, the remnants of burnt-out buildings from the rigged explosions left standing as a charred husk, countless bodies burnt black with no one to collect them. Culo glanced at the wreckage with astonishment at the brutality of last night's conflict. "I thought we were supposed to blow up the Seven Snakes, not innocent residents."

"Now is not the time for reluctance. Their deaths were an unfortunate collateral, a result of the fierce fighting between the Seven Snakes and us that resulted in this botched explosion. They were not meant to die, but their sacrifice will be remembered in the new world that is to come."

Culo nodded, but in his heart he wondered if that was truly the case. Still, the invigorating chants from his comrades and other workers buoyed his resolve and buried his doubts.

Gunther grinned as he watched the masses move according to his will, advancing together as one. "This is it, this is the revolution. And you, Culo - you will get to see everything happen in your own eyes."

"But will the Seven Snakes agree to our demands?"

"They may not. They will try to negotiate, to haggle their way out just like the pigs they are. But instead of compromising, we will stand our ground and not budge a single inch. They are the ones who need us, not them."

"If both sides do not budge, there will be no jobs."

"And so what? Better a life of revolution than a life of half-assed contradictions. These pigs should not and will not be treated diplomatically - they are the source of all our problems, a disease upon society. Now that the masses truly know how evil they are, we can finally bring about true change within the Yual Dominion."

"Just like Versia."

"Exactly. One coup was example enough for us to know its possible. Every Versian knows that, and you and I are the leaders of this new revolution in Raktor." Gunther patted Culo on the back as they marched on, surrounded by fellow factory workers.

Even those who were originally not part of the union joined in the strike, the protest building up critical mass as they approached the factory, its towering chimneys looming over them while two rows of Seven Snakes guards formed up, blocking their path.

"You're not getting any further than this, fuckers!" Niko roared over the din of slogan chanting. "Anyone who crosses this line will earn a pellet to the head!"

"You're not the only one with guns, bitch!" A worker called out, with dozens of union workers brandishing rifles, aiming them right back at the Seven Snakes guards and Niko.

A tense standoff occurred as the protestors shoved against the line of guards, trying to break through and occupy the factory. Niko began barking orders to try and control the situation. "Cover that backlane and shore up that gap! I want fifty men with shields on that corner. Bosso, get your fucking squad over there now and push them back!"

"WAGES, SAFETY AND UNITY! WAGES, SAFETY AND UNITY!" The protestors raged, violently pushing the guards backwards as Niko began to sweat a little, faced with the seemingly endless horde of workers.

"The only way you can stop this is to get your fucking boss down here to negotiate!" Culo roared at Niko.

"Like fucking hell a shitface like you is going to talk to the Boss of all people! He would never -" Niko's rant was interrupted by an order on the arctech radio, his face paling at what he was hearing. "Damian, you can't be fucking serious. If we let them in, we... you're joking. This is complete bullshit! What the hell have we been- fine. But if this goes sideways it ain't my fault."

Niko stuffed the arctech radio back onto his belt. "Retreat! Retreat back to the shopping arcade."

The guards stared at him blankly, but quickly complied, none of them really wanting to match the crowd head-on themselves no matter how bloodthirsty they were. Even the most violent among them knew they wouldn't come out unscathed. The moment Niko retreated, The protestors rushed forward like a surging tide, quickly occupying the factory in droves, swarming every room and space on the factory floor.

"We did it! We actually have control!" Culo cheered with the rest of the workers, all of whom bore wide grins on their faces as they shook hands and threw hats into the air.

"It's not over yet. They could try to flush us out with that damn Euria smoke..." Bronco wheezed badly, his face slightly pale. "I wouldn't put it past those fucking gangster to try everything!"

"They won't. And if they do, it would only worsen their reputation. Now we just wait for them to come to the negotiating table." Gunther took up residence in Gordon's office, which had been hastily evacuated. He flipped through the designs of the weapons and the armour, ordering one of his followers to keep a copy of them for themselves.

"Gunther, what are you doing? If we use those designs, we'll be slaughtered by the nobles themselves. Those are military grade weapons!" Culo warned with anxiety in his voice.

"Culo, authority comes from force. How can you expect to negotiate with those who oppress us on a level playing field without having the same equipment that they possess. A maggot cannot negotiate with a goblin. We'll have a few days to prepare before they try to strike again, and then it will be a week until they come to bargain with us once they realize they cannot flush us-"

"Comrade Gunther, the boss - the boss of the Seven Snakes is here to negotiate!" Another member of the council informed them, stunning Gunther into an awkward silence. Many of the council members were flabbergasted as well, having never seen Gunther stumped like this. For most of the last month, every single word that Gunther had said all came to fruition, but yet this was clearly an unexpected turn of events.

"That's not right. This shouldn't be happening... the boss of the Seven Snakes is a known profiteer who only seeks monetary gains..." Gunther tried to rationalize what was happening. "They should be only compromising a week later at best. Are you sure its them?"

"Yes, sir. He's here with the underboss Damian and a lady with a weird glittering sword." The mention of the magical falchion traumatized Bronco, who began to breath erratically.

At the base of the factory floor, the workers began to part aside, avoiding the trio who walked through them fearlessly and with sheer confidence, Kyle leading the way with Damian and Sasha in tow. Some even began to doubt that the strike would be a success, knowing the three of them were far too strong.

Damian towered over everyone like a hulking giant in a modified Aspis MK1 armour suited just for him, along with a large custom-made tower shield strapped to his back. On the other side, Sasha still had bloodstains from the night before, rumors of her callous slaughter spreading like wildfire among the freed prisoners into the protestors.

"I'm here to negotiate. Who is the union leader?" Kyle asked, glaring at the workers nearby who all cowered in fear, many knowing what the boss was capable of.

"That would be me."

Kyle glanced up to see Gunther standing at the top of a metallic stairwell leading to the head office. "Good, let us negotiate inside." Kyle was about to head up when Gunther chuckled.

"Negotiate? Inside? There is no 'negotiation'. There are only demands. And you will adhere to each and everyone of them, right in front of all of my comrades and brothers here. No more dealing in the shadows." Gunther smirked, looking down upon Kyle.

Intimidation Aura!

A sudden burst of pressure erupted from Kyle, the workers all trembling and backpedalling as far away from Kyle as they could. Even Gunther began to sweat a little, his heart palpitating wildly while he tried to understand what was happening.

"Then you best come down here." Kyle motioned with his hand towards Gunther, pointing towards the ground. Out of fear, Gunther descended the stairwell, finally coming eye to eye with Kyle, his body shivering even more as he got even closer to the source.

Suddenly, the pressure was lifted, the workers all confused and staring at each other in shock. Gunther panted heavily as he dropped to one knee while Kyle smirked down at him. "That's better. Now we are on the same level. Well? What are the demands? I'm listening."

Gunther gritted his teeth, scrambling back up to his full height with resolve. "You think you can toy with us? Here's our demands - relinquish managerial control of the factory to us, all workers are to be unionized under me, all shifts reduced to eight hours just like before, and wages increased double that of market prices! And no more fucking children on the factory floor."

"Done. You have my word."

"And don't try to bargain with us, I will not budge a single - huh?" Gunther was caught off-guard, the workers around astounded, some frantically digging their ears to hear better.

"I said I agree to all your demands. You have control of the factory now, and I will inform Gordon of the new arrangements. The wages will be paid according to the maximum capacity of the factory as of this very moment."

"What?" The workers couldn't believe what they've just heard, assuming the boss of the Seven Snakes would be an uncompromising monster that they would have to fight tooth and nail with. Suddenly all of the tension and excitement was deflated like a popped balloon as a wave of excited murmurs spread through the crowd, the workers at the far end equally astonished at what was happening.

"You're lying." Gunther stared pointedly, earning a small chuckle from Kyle.

"I'm not. Your demands are effective this very hour. Gordon will make sure of it. I will pull all Seven Snakes guards back from the factory. Anything else?"

"..." Gunther was at a complete loss for words, unable to utter even a reply, his mind racing with all the possible motives as he looked at the confident Kyle, who seemed to be dictating the playing field.

"Well then, I have places to be. Good discussion. I look forward to a prosperous relationship in the future." Kyle turned sharply, his coat flicking in the air as he left as quickly as he had arrived, leaving the protestors in a state of shock.

An awkward silence reigned in the air, bated breaths waiting for Kyle and his men to leave the factory. "We... we did it? WE DID IT!" Culo roared at the top of his lungs, the protestors and workers cheering in unison, hugging each other. "We got everything we ever dreamed of, and its all thanks to you, Gunther! That Kyle guy wasn't so bad after all!"

"Don't count your fresils before they glow!" Gunther warned, storming back up to the head office, where the council was already celebrating in full force, shouting with every ounce of energy they had and ravaging any alcohol that had been hidden away by the managers. "Calm down, you idiots. That fucking pig must have something up his sleeve, I'm sure of it!"

He ordered the workers to keep an eye out, but true enough to his words, each and every demand was entertained fully. The managers had all pulled out, with Gordon confirming Kyle's orders to double the wages and reduce the shifts. Every foreman was now under the union and morale was soaring across the factory.

"That's awesome, we got the dream job now!" Culo clenched his fist in victory before glaring at Gordon angrily. "No thanks to you and your managers."

"Need I explain to you again that the whole reason why we were pushing you all so hard was because we have a clear production deadline to meet!" Gordon reminded them angrily. "Your wages will only last as long as the contract is active - failing to meet the contract will result in the factory going bust! If that happens, you can say goodbye to your job. "

"Not a problem. Our brothers and comrades are more than skilled to operate the factory and take a bigger pie of the contract!" Gunther retorted sharply, confident in the prowess of the new union.

Word was spread quickly, the double wages invigorating them more to do their part. Now that the workers knew that they were getting paid their worth, they had a far higher morale, especially knowing that the others were all in the same union, their rights protected. The hours were reduced to eight hours just like before and machines were repaired without fatality or injury.

While Culo worked on the assembly lines with a wide grin on his face, joking with the other members on his team, Gunther was still pacing the office nervously, clearly bothered by how weird Kyle was acting. "This can't be, this can't be right, we had it all planned out..." He mumbled to himself quietly, ignoring the celebrations erupting all around him.

As Gunther dealt with his own internal disarray, Culo poured over the finances and production targets, realizing Gordon was not joking about the targets. It was a tall order to begin with, and while he could not forgive the callousness of the managers, he could at least sympathize with what they had to deal with. Now, the council was in full control of the wages and positions, allocating jobs to the workers en-masse.

However, it didn't take an hour for the first obstacle to appear in their path without even a full day passing: there were way more workers than there were jobs.

"Why am I not allowed to be the foreman, but you get to be it?! I fought just as hard as you and I deserve a job, hand or no hand!" One of the freed prisoners complained, waving his stubbed arm around as a sign of his valor.

"You're disabled, you can't possibly work the line! Etching and sanding requires both hands for maximum stability!" The foreman tried to reason with the freed prisoners, many of whom were clearly maimed and unfit for the tough requirements of arcia etching and machine operating.

"Really?! We fought tooth and nail, even suffered for the cause, and now we get tossed aside like cattle? You're no different from the pigs that we just got rid off!"

"Everyone, calm down, calm down!" Culo tried to interject. "Look, I'm sure we can find a role for all of you, definitely. I'll talk to the union council and see what we can do for you."

Despite the doubling of wages, the council was already at a loss on what to do. "The thing is, when one of our brothers were to be imprisoned, the factory hired an additional one to replace him. Now that we have freed all of them, there are more than enough hands to go around, but if we do so, we won't be able to pay all of them the promised double wages!" A council member explained the dilemma.

"What?" Culo was confused. "Didn't Kyle agree to pay double wages?"

"Only up to the maximum capacity of the factory!" Gordon rolled his eyes in clear disdain. "Were you not listening? As if anyone in the world is simply going to pay you double just because you hired a few hundred useless people right off the bat."

"You!" Culo stormed up to Gordon, jabbing his finger into his chest. "You're a fucking monster - they aren't useless, it's because of them that we got to where we are today."

"Sure, but you and I both know where they'll bring you to tomorrow." Gordon sneered, earning a right hook from Culo that sent him sprawling to the ground.

"Fucking cunt." Culo spat on Gordon's chest. "We should do our best to at least rotate the roles. Maybe have it such that people don't work all seven days of the week. This way, everyone still get some wages in some way, isn't that right, Gunther? Gunther? Where did he go?"

The council looked around only to find him completely missing. "Last I saw him he said he was going out to pick up a package." Bronco motioned with his thumb out through the office door, while he fumbled with a satchel of Euria Seeds pilfered from the stores of the managers.

Culo squinted his eyes at him in suspicion. "What are you doing with that?"

"I'm going to smoke it, what else?"

"Since when do you smoke? Hell, you used to be part of the Crusaders against Vices! What would Angela say?"

"Fuck if I care about her, it was here free for the taking. Or what, you're the leader of the council now? I thought we were all equals here!"

Culo fumed internally, wanting to lash out at the obvious hypocripsy, though he noticed the strike force's leader hand shivering slightly. "Fine. Either way, we will make sure the factory runs, smoothly and safely. Got it?"

While the council desperately worked round the clock to get the factory in order, Gunther was moving quickly away from the factory, hiding himself with a hood away from the prying looks of passerbys and residents, disguising as a shabby homeless man once more.

As he entered the backlanes, walking with purpose, he soon approached a nondescript metal box that was locked tight. A simple key from his pocket cracked it open, revealing an arctech radio within, with a coaster that had a series of numbers written on it. However, instead of following the instructions, he tuned the radio to a completely different set. As the connection was established, Gunther was already whispering angrily into the receiver. "You told me they didn't have enough money! That they wouldn't negotiate! You fucked my entire plan!"

[They don't! I'm sure of it, I checked all of the finances personally myself!]

"Then how the fuck are they affording to pay double the wages when I just blew up five of their fucking establishments? They aren't even charging the workers rent in the housing complex!"

[I don't know! I really don't!]

"On the Goddess name, you better find out what Kyle is up to, or else both you and me are screwed!" Gunther hung up, before staring down at the coaster with the set of numbers, wondering what his next step should be. I must figure out what is going on, before I am ensnared by anything and anyone. It's best if I keep all the cards close to my chest instead of-

He suddenly froze in place for a brief moment, only to suddenly feel a startling presence behind him, instantly twisting around to deliver a kick. Instead of hearing a satisfying thud, his heel was stopped short of the man's face, gripped tightly in place before he was flung unceremoniously into the nearest trash pile. Gunther shrugged off the grime, only to see three men approach him, the leader grinning widely.

"Quite the welcome. Is this how you repay us?"

"Fuck you, Wrent. I don't answer to you."

"Seems like you don't want to answer to anyone. I was wondering when you were going to inform us of your successful strike."

"I took down the damn factory, just like we agreed upon. I've already done my part."

"Nope." Wrent wagged his finger, playing with the hilt of his red sword hinged on his belt. "The deal was clear between Leo, me and you. Humiliate the Seven Snakes beyond restoration and crater their economy."

"Once the factory fails the contract, their reputation will already be down the drain."

"Ah, but there's a better way to disgrace their image. You have quite a few weapons and armour on you, no? Perhaps you could get some more. You see, despite Kyle's unlikeable traits, the Aspis MK1 armour and rifle he made is quite useful both to us and Count Leon. It is indeed a leap of technology."

Gunther glared with suspicion. "What do you want?"

"It's simple, really. I want the factory production on the same schedule as before, but all weapons and armour diverted to the Red Lions."

"You're mad, you're asking me to be killed by the Seven Snakes! I'm not ready, I-"

"What does your life or death matter to me? And if you're thinking of running... we already both know how that played out before. Leo can grab you just as easily as before."

Gunther cursed under his breath as Wrent laughed, turning around to leave with his men. "Have the crates delivered to my district, I'll handle the rest."

"Big fucking talk for a man who lost to twenty Seven Snakes." Gunther grinned as he recovered to his full height.

Wrent stopped dead in his tracks, looking back over his shoulder with a fearsome glare. "What did you say?"

"I said -" Before Gunther could finish, three red waves slashed violently across his thighs, toppling him over in a burst of blood. He gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to scream as Wrent slowly walked to him.

Wrent bent down to the bleeding Gunther, grabbing his cheeks and dragging his head up to eye-level. "If you ever mention that again, I will let the world see what a revolutionary looks like on the inside out, limb by limb. First I'll start with your fingers, and carve my name on each and every joint while it's still connected. Then I'll rip the toenails and sear them with an etcher for fifty days. And forget about Leo hunting you down - I'll be the one to chase you if you leave the city, even to Tenar. I'm far different from the man I used to be when I lost to the Seven Snakes, and you can be the first to find out just how much has changed. Are we clear?"

"Yes...sir."

"Good." Wrent dropped him to the floor again, tossing a health potion that clattered on the blood-stained cobblestone. "Always charmed to meet you. Remember - every day, fifty crates by dusk. That, or we could have another conversation like this that might be a bit more physical."

Gunther clenched his fist, reaching out for the health potion as Wrent and his men disappeared, melding into the throng of pedastrians who hardly cared for the homeless looking man bleeding out in the backlane. He chugged the potion, his wounds healing rapidly, though he was still dizzy from the blood loss.

He staggered to his feet, limping slightly back towards the factory as he ditched the stained disguise. The celebration was still in full swing, workers cheering and relaxing in the lunch canteen and all around the factory floor, joking with each other. As he returned to the council office, Culo was the first to notice a bit of bloodstain on the edge of Gunther's sleeves and pants, but Culo held his tongue.

"Have we organized the workers?" Gunther resumed his strong resolute self.

"We're working out the kinks now, but Culo had a brilliant suggestion of having everyone split their shifts up. This way, we can hire everyone in the union, but each individual works less. It's a great way to -"

"No. If we want more workers, expand the assembly lines. I want the extra workers working on the new lines as soon as possible. Everyone works, seven days a week, eight hour shifts. The factory has to be running round the clock."

The council stared at Gunther in slight shock. "Gunther, what the hell are you talking about?"

"If we want to keep our wages, we will need to match the production contract, just like Gordon said. This is the only way we can maintain the results of our demands."

"But the wages, they won't be doubled if we hire everyone full time! The deal with Kyle was that he pays the wages for the current maximum capacity right now, not in the future!"

"So be it. At least the union has control over how the factory is being ran. What's the current treasury of the factory?"

"Uhm... just enough to buy the materials and pay wages to last another week of production." A council member reported.

"Then we have no choice. I will forgo my wages, and we will need to in order to purchase new equipment for the additional assembly lines."

"You're talking about docking our pay just as we had it doubled?! This won't go well with the workers!"

"We don't have a choice, not if we want to keep things this way. This arrangement will only last until we get the payment of the contract in. Have the finances be transparent to all workers in the factory, make sure everyone is on the same page."

While Gunther was essentially recommending the same working pace as the managers before him, Culo still appreciated that Gunther was being upfront about the reason why, though he still had a bit of lingering doubt as to what bloodied the edges of Gunther's outfit when he went out.

As the council began to spring into action, Gunther pulled Bronco aside for a private conversation. "Brother Bronco, are you with me?"

"Till the end, Brother Ki Hwang. You know this."

"I need you to divert some production to the arming of our brothers. Our true brothers, not the leeches who tagged along. There are forces that seek to profit of us and what we have accomplished so far, and I'll be damned if I let that happen again." Gunther explained the deal with Wrent.

Bronco nodded in understanding, knowing that Leo had captured Gunther and him before multiple times. But this time was different. This time, they had a weapons factory. "We won't let the damn Red Lions catch us off-guard again. This time, when they come for us, we'll be armed to the teeth." Bronco grinned.

Gunther gripped Bronco's hand firmly, an unbreakable bond forged from their days in Versia. "So those above remember their roots."

"So they shall return to dust."

<---Chapter 86 - Prison Break|Table of Contents|Chapter 88 - Same Old Routine--->