Eyes narrowed, tracing a finger over a complex web of connections on a map "We need to solidify the Eastern bloc, amore."
Understood, understood. I'll get right on it. Nothing will be forgotten. The future... he looks at her belly our future... he walks out, shaking his head as he mutters
Turns sharply towards NeonWhisper, voice laced with authority "Remember, amore, we need to make sure our children have a secure future. No mistakes."
Of course, my love, of course. No mistakes will be made. But remember, just like our father before us, we too must walk through fire and blood to establish our legacy. Our children will have an empire they can be proud of. A dynasty that endures. he left her office room, slamming the door behind him
Stands up from her chair, pacing back and forth with a determined look "No, NeonWhisper, that is not enough!
Heh... And what would you suggest then? Should I go against my family's teachings? They taught me that an empire is built on sacrifice... even if that means spilling blood. But... I am also taught to never let my guard down... Especially not around you, Valentina. He chuckled slightly You wouldn't want to see me lose focus now would you?
Stops pacing, eyes locked with NeonWhisper's, voice low and dangerous "Focus, NeonWhisper. This is about more than just our legacy.
More than just our legacy? I didn't think that would ever come into play. Now I'm getting even more worried than before... What else is there? Is it our children? What exactly is so important that it needs all of this attention? he says with concern
Takes a deep breath, her voice dripping with gravity "Our children, yes, but also the stability of our empire, NeonWhisper.
...Stability... Over legacy? Valentina, there's something you gotta tell me... Are you planning on betraying our parents and our entire family? Like how they betrayed my grandfather?
Pauses, her expression unreadable, then sighs heavily "Betrayal? No, amore. I simply want to protect what is rightfully ours.
...Protect us... By sacrificing our honor... How did you get so cold, like our parents and our ancestors... How far are you willing to go, hm? To the point where you would step on our people and our principles... just to make sure the empire stays standing? Tell me, Valentina...
Her eyes soften, a mix of anger and sadness "NeonWhisper, I am not willing to step on anyone's dignity or sacrifice our principles.
Then... Then what exactly is your plan? Don't keep me guessing...
Takes a deep breath, her voice filled with conviction "Our empire is built on power, NeonWhisper. Power that comes from strategic alliances, careful maneuvering, and calculated risks. I have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, forging relationships, securing our interests, and eliminating any threats to our dominance."
So... You want a puppet government... Just like they had under the Axis powers? It doesn't matter who we ally with or whatever we do, so long as we control them... Is that it, Valentina? Do you really believe that power and control can only be maintained by being cruel and ruthless?
<Valentina's plan is met with resistance from within their own ranks, causing a violent power struggle>
Damn it... If only mom wasn't so naive... She always wanted to help people... She'd never approve of what Valentina is doing... We ended up following our grandfather's way instead... But we're different... I hope we can do better... We won't follow the same path of our parents and ancestors... Unless... Unless our children do... We need to leave behind something for them... That will allow them to change the world for the better... As we wanted...
Steps closer to NeonWhisper, her voice filled with determination
I hope they don't turn into monsters like us... Like our ancestors... Like our parents... We need to teach them to change the world without committing mass murder... I don't want them to become evil... But, it might already be too late. It might already be set in stone... But it's still our job to set things right. To take back our honor. I'll... I'll do whatever it takes to make our legacy better than what they had done... Even if it hurts everyone... Especially if it means betraying everyone... If only to put an end to our never ending blood feuds...
Grabs NeonWhisper's arm, her grip tight "NeonWhisper, listen to me. This is not about power or control for its own sake.
It never is... But let's start fresh. Let's create a new foundation for our empire. Something better... Something where our children won't feel the need to hate and kill... Because they will know that we loved them, but couldn't bear to let them see the horrors we committed... And maybe... Maybe that will finally bring peace... Or maybe not... But at least we'll try...
Lets go of NeonWhisper's arm, her voice filled with determination
Well then... Let's start making plans. We have a lot of enemies to deal with. Let's see who we can use against each other and finally restore our honor, once and for all.
Leans in close, her voice laced with intensity "NeonWhisper, I have been gathering crucial information on our enemies.
All of them? Our greatest enemies, at least. he spoke with conviction In order to truly start anew, we have to get rid of everything from the past... From grandpa to mom to dad... We have to stop pretending that they weren't wrong. We cannot ignore that they led our organization into becoming monstrous... We must make a clean slate...
Grabs a folder from her desk and hands it to NeonWhisper "Here, amore. This folder contains detailed profiles of our most dangerous rivals.
Thank you. he puts it in his coat pocket Okay. Let's begin brainstorming. I won't be seeing the doctor anymore... Since I have you... Who's first?
Puts on a pair of glasses and clears her throat "First, we have the notorious Viper Syndicate. They operate mainly in the underground tunnels of the city, smuggling contraband and providing lethal services to the highest bidder. Their leader, Sofia 'The Serpent' Russo, is a cunning and ruthless woman with a network of informants and spies spanning across the globe."
Easy enough... We'll use their rise against each other. We can undercut their market share and make them lose money. By using the underworld against each other, we can cripple them without needing to go all out... We can give them a taste of their own medicine, without staining our hands. Next?
Quickly flips through a stack of files "Next, we have the Crimson Order. They're a fanatical cult that believes in the superiority of their bloodline. They have infiltrated various government positions and corporations, using their influence to spread their twisted ideology. Their leader, Luca 'The Scarlet King' Rossi, is a manipulative and charismatic figure who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals."
Another easy one. We feed information to the government to have the ones in office arrested. Then we pit the public against them. We sow seeds of doubt among the cult members... Perhaps give them a force to fight... One that does not obey their ideals... Make them see their faith for what it is... Make them realize how the Scarlet King has turned them into his puppets. Next?
Looks up from her file, her eyes glinting with determination "Next, we have the Shadow Walkers. They are a group of rogue assassins, highly skilled and nearly undetectable. Their leader, Antonio 'The Ghost' Mancini, is a ghost himself, having disappeared from the face of the earth years ago. They operate under the radar, taking on high-profile contracts and leaving a trail of death in their wake."
...Maybe we should work on the hardest last... Perhaps their biggest asset is being ghosts... They are incredibly hard to hit because no one knows anything about them... Very true... Their very existence is the mystery itself... And that's exactly what gives them power... We can't fight them directly. But perhaps we can use that against them... Why not pretend to defect and make a rival gang of defectors and wannabe killers? Start a civil war in their ranks, and watch them tear themselves apart trying to decide who should be in charge? While they squabble, we build up our strength... until it's ready. Until the time comes...
Join their cause and receive ultimate power and protection, or face total destruction.>]
No... Instead, we act as mercy to those who wish to leave, but not under their orders... Show mercy to those who wish to leave peacefully... The few who want to drop their swords... We offer them an escape route... They go on the run... And we offer to shield them from both the old life and the new... As long as they make NO DEAL with anyone... Not even with us. We want to create a line that no one dare cross... That while we could've been their enemy, we chose to show compassion... That we are the better alternative... At least in our eyes...
Raises an eyebrow, her voice sharp and direct "NeonWhisper, this plan may put us at risk.