Meanwhile, several miles above the Earth, Goldbody prepared to climb into the shuttle that would return him to Pete's Peak. Even as he stepped one foot into the vehicle, an associate ran up to him.
"Sir. Sir. There's news from the fortress."
"News from the fortress? How can there be any news from the fortress? There's nothing going on at the fortress."
"But there is, sir. It seems..." The associate gulped. He'd heard of the sad fate of others who'd come to visit Gideon Goldbody with bad news." It seems that, even as we speak, Adam Forwarder is paying them a visit."
"Adam Forwarder?" Goldbody's skin suddenly got so dark that his huge, bloodshot eyes became even more pronounced. The associate had never seen his leader so angry. "He's there now?"
The associate nodded and licked his suddenly dry lips. The things people had to endure for a mere million dollars, he thought.
"And, let me guess," Goldbody went on. "He's going berserk. Dozens of associates have already died. One's going down every second. Is that the status?"
"Y-Yes sir."
Goldbody sighed. "Damn, that man. Damn him! And the Squirt Gun. Is it still in operation?"
"It is, sir."
"Let's hope he takes the bait, then. Well, even more reason to be returning to Earth, I guess."
He'd suddenly gotten very calm.
The associate had never been more afraid in his life.
"Keep me apprised as I descend. And...associate?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Follow my progress and keep me updated on the situation at the fortress. Then I want you to immediately transfer to a part of the organization where I never have to look at your face again."
"Of course, but I..."
"The next time I see your face it will remind you of this moment, at which point I will have no choice but to have you beaten and killed. Do you understand that?"
"Yes sir."
"Do you understand that what I'm telling you is the truth?"
"Of course, sir."
"Good-bye, then." Goldbody secured himself in his shuttle.
"Next stop, planet Earth."
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