After I stored everything we made our way to the port, us in the limo following Skyreaver and his men in the trucks. As we were entering the port a different gang, who I'm assuming are the Port Pirates, flagged us down. Skyreaver got out of the lead truck to speak with them and after a few minutes we were waved through. Finally stopping at a large empty warehouse we exited the limo.
Skyreaver walked up to me holding a bag. "Your payment as agreed upon." Quickly storing it, I see that it was the exact amount. Nodding I inform him. "Good. Now I do not have exact control of where items come out. They always appear infront of me, so while I can get the tank to appear inside it won't be exact."
Waving me off he responds. "Ah that's fine we can move stuff around I just want it all out of sight inside the warehouse." Walking inside I begin unloading the goods, starting with the tank towards the back. It takes a good twenty minutes to finish and I realize I'm exhausted. It seems heavy use of my power does infact drain me. We didn't realize this during testing because all the testing happened over the course of days with a small amount done each day. Hm I'll have to test this on my own eventually.
Turning to Skyreaver I say. "Our business is complete. If you have use of my services again in the future reach out to this number." Handing him my card. "I'll do that. You enjoy your money haha." He responded before walking into the warehouse and closing its doors. As we leave I direct them to a strip mall a few blocks from my apartment where there are some restrooms I can change in. As we drive I hand Guardian five grand. "A little tip for y'all. And make sure the limo is good to go for when we next need it."
"Oh thanks boss and we will. I'm kinda surprised that went so well." He tells me. Chuckling I respond. "Hopefully it keeps going well. Though I doubt it will."
"Well that's why you hired us. Don't stress about it boss we got your back. You get some rest you look dead on your feet. Just text whisper when you need us." Waving back to him at that I climb out of the limo and watch the drive off before heading to a nearby restroom. Eventually making my way home and slumping down into my chair at my desk. I just made a hundred twenty five grand in a single day, not to bad. Yawning I open the forums to check my messages before bed, and sure enough I have a new private message.
OilKing(Unverified): Howdy Banker, I'm not sure if your services are only for powered. If not then I'd like to hire you to hold some valuables for a few months if possible. I'm located in Austin if you are able to travel to here.
The_Banker(Verified Neutral): None of that should be a problem. When would you like to meet? And I will be bringing my powered guards will that be an issue?
Waiting for a few minutes I get a response back.
OilKing(Unverified): That's fine I'll have my own powered guards nearby. And in three days if that works for you.
The_Banker(Verified Neutral): That should work. Send me the address either the day before or early on the day of. Good night.
Shutting down my pc I close my eyes, yeah I think I'll just sleep here I'm to tired to get up.
The next day I decided today I would tell Eddie that I'm a powered. It has its risks but we also don't keep secrets from each other. Plus if I don't come home one day I'd at least like him to know why. Getting home from my classes, which were just finals weeks. I found Ed inside his room in a shouting match with someone on the game Everquest. Getting his attention by tossing a pillow at his head, he turned to me angrily before seeing my grin and grinning back. Turning off his mic and spinning his chair around. "Hey bro, you finally deciding to let me teach you this game?"
"Nope I don't have the time for it, especially now." He looked confused after I said that. "I know it's finals and all that but it isn't that bad." Snorting at him. "Not because of finals. I'm a powered. Went and registered and everything."
"Fuuuck. Man not you too. First my girl and now my brother man life is a bitch. At least tell me you joined the POC or a decent group?" His question caused me to flinch slightly, which he noticed. "Oh fuck no you went solo! Are you fucking dumb? We both know that solo powered get killed off fast as hell."
"I know I know, but my power is useful to everyone and if I joined a group they would want me to only use it for them. Plus I did hire a group to protect me. Also Jess is a powered?" I tried explaining. Throwing in that last question to hopefully distract him, which seemed to work. "Oh shit I wasn't supposed to say anything. Man shes gonna kill me when I tell her you know." We sat in silence for a few minutes both thinking before he broke it.
"So who are you? You get some badass crafter power like you always wanted?" Shaking my head at him I respond. "Naw I got a utility power. Look up The Banker on the official and unofficial forums. You'll see what my power is and how I'm making money." He started reading through the forums. "Oh cool it's basically an inventory from a game. Definitely useful just sucks you don't have a power to really protect yourself with. So how much money have you made?"
"A hundred twenty five grand. And if I can get a crafter made suit it'll give decent protection. Then have a crafter made fun in my storage that I can pull out when I need it." I explained but he seemed stuck on how much money I made. "Shit man why're you still living in this shithole with me?!" I just stared blankly at him for a minute before responding. "You and I both know that if I just start spending a bunch of money villains will track me down. So unless I drop my civilian identity and start living fully as my powered persona, then I can't spend much right now. I thought about doing that but I won't unless you get a power too. If I just drop off the map people will realize why and that'll put you at risk." Scowling he realized I was right. "Well that sucks. Hopefully I mutate soon, I'm starting to feel left out haha." Shaking my head at him with a little laugh I get up off the bed. "Anyway I'll be up in Austin in a couple days for a business meeting. I should be home the same day but just wanted to let you know." I tell him as I leave his room.
Two days later saw the Guardians and I making the three hour drive to Austin. Luckily traffic wasn't bad, but the limo isn't the fastest of vehicles. We got to the address a bit after noon, it was a walled mansion we pulled up to. I spotted a few powered guards scanning outside the wall. We were stopped at the gate and I heard Shield tell the guard. "The Banker has business with your boss." I didn't hear the guards reply but we started moving into the compound.
After pulling up to the main building we got out and were greeted by a butler. Seeing that the others seemed to be protecting me he came over and shook my hand. "Good afternoon Sir Banker. Mr.Rine is in the meeting room waiting for you. He asks that you only bring one of your guards to the meeting." Looking at Guardian he gives me a small nod before I turn back to the butler. "Very well lead on." He lead us through a stupid number of twists and turns in the large home before finally coming before a set off doors with gold plated handles. Knocking and waiting a few seconds before opening. As we entered I see a few powered guards behind the desk of an unpowered man. I was slightly amazed that the large man could fit into that chair, the poor thing looked ready to collapse from his wait.
"Banker! Welcome welcome! Sir please." He practically shouted while gesturing to the chair across from him. Which I noticed was slightly lower to the ground then his own, a classic power play. As I sit he speaks again. "Good good. Now as my name online suggests I've made most of my wealth from the oil fields. However I've taken payment in various ways one of which is gold. And I hate having stacks of gold lying around for anyone to take. Now I'm just just going to give it all to you, but I figure we can do a little test run of you power and see if you're trustworthy enough to hold onto something so valuable. I'm thinking you hold onto five hundred grand in gold for one month." He says while pulling out a couple large bars of gold and setting them on the desk.
"I can do that. The fee is five percent the value of what you're storing. In this case twenty five thousand for a month of storage. You can reach out to this number at any point in that month if you want your items returned. However there will be no refund if you choose to cut the month short. Reach out to that number sometime in the last week of the month so we can schedule a meeting. Or if you prefer you can message me online." He nodded as I spoke. "Hm very well. I won't try to haggle about such an insignificant amount. I do have a question though. If I ask you to store something worth more and for longer would that change the fee? For example say ten million in gold for six months."
"For something ten million you would have a one percent fee. However to hold your items that long would be a one percent fee every two months. So three hundred thousand to hold that for six months. Still cheaper than a flat five percent fee." Nodding at me before gesturing at the gold. "Very well that's good to know. Go ahead and take the gold and this cash. And then Winston will see you out. I'll be in touch." He said while also putting a suitcase of cash on the table. As I store the gold and cash I notice him watching my power closely. After I'm finish I stand and say. "A pleasure Me.Rines. Have a good day."
We make it back home mid afternoon, I gave the Guardians another five grand bonus. While I didn't have to, it would keep them happy. Getting to the apartment I notice Eddie isn't home, well I might as well keep working on some papers I have due.