Hasty Exit, Quick Return (Goon Story)

[DoF Archive]

Date: 6/29/1998 9:19 PM Central Daylight Time
From: SpifyMcBng

"We have a decision to make, ladies and gentlemen. There was a serious lapse in judgement two weeks prior to this day. Our security may have been compromised. Normally, we would simply remove the possible breech and continue on. This time, it is not quite so simple."

White collars surrounded the speaker at the long, black table, folders laid out before each person. Inside lay important pages of information regarding their top thug and hitman. Gazing over the facts and statistics, each dour-faced member of the select group would have a vote to cast..soon.

"Goon is a special case. Unlike most of our rejects, this one does not is not predisposed to dark corners and a corrupt lifestyle. Somehow, his mind has accepted the ideas of honor and loyalty to a severe extreme, and despite his great strength, he has grown peaceful and timid. Although, to see him work, you certainly wouldn't know it."

A dark chuckle rose from a few members of the board who had witnessed his last brutal assault on a small town, a few miles southwest of RhyDin City. Stonefaced, they watched their main enforcer trash the brave, but weak, citizens into pulp, simply to extort their "protection" money from the people.

"If you recall, we had no qualms about dispatching Kinobi X, who was certainly a more skilled assassin than Goon. Our predicament lies in this man's popularity. Sources have revealed that he is an extremely well-liked figure on the fighting circuit, both in the Arena of Swords and the Outback. It seems clear that many a question will be raised should he permanently disappear.. worse yet, the number and strength of those who would search may be
more than we can handle."

A surprised look graced the eyes of a strong, handsome man in the third seat on the left. Hesitantly, as though expecting repercussions, he said, "What about Swamp? He removed Tom with little problems. In fact, if I remember correctly, no one even noticed he had left before the Mega-Brawl began."

A slight shake of the older gentleman's head gave all the answer that was needed. Continuing, he explained, "Swamp would be a fine choice for one or two victims. What I speak of is a small army of powerful warriors, mages, and the like. I do not know what kinds of contact any of you have had with magic in the past, but rest assured, the strong can find us once they know to look for us.

"We must remain a faceless corporation in the RhyDin landscape. It is imperative that we stay small, so as not to arouse anyone's curiosity. Sponsorships like that we gave to the Mega-Brawl will not occur often. They are simply to give us a good reputation with the people of this town, specifically the dueling arenas, so that if the time comes that Goon must be cancelled, they will begin to search elsewhere."

"But, sir," interrupted a young colleague, "precisely what is it that triggered this need for a vote?"

"Ah, yes, Miss Johanssen, you are new to the group. You have been briefed on the implant in our man's ankle, and what it does, correct?"

Nodding, she said simply, "Yes, sir."

"As you know, the implant causes a peculiar reaction when activated. We needed a job completed after a tournament Goon was attending. His teammate, one Marit Takcouma, won the first prize, and as his extreme loyalty would suggest, he stayed to watch the entire thing. We could not give him much time to leave his friends before beckoning him; still, it was a good half-hour between the end of the event and the activation of the beacon.

"What we had not counted on, due to faulty intelligence, was the awards ceremony he was to attend immediately afterwards. Between that and our own carelessness, he turned sharply and left the grounds before the end of the show. Worse than that, it was in front of a good thirty people, multiplied by the fact that he still had another award to accept.

"It is still unknown whether anyone is investigating the strange behavior exhibited that night. Thus, we must decide whether to allow things to play out on their own, or remove the sole piece of evidence from RhyDin.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the board, the future of Titan, Incorporated, lies in your hands this night. Cast your ballots regarding the fate of Goon now."

And the vote began.