FoD: a pink rat isn't the only one with a tale of
revenge
author: Cindy Brewer with help from Mildred from the
Mercs
time: Wed July 11 after midnight
place: The Happy Soluvaki Deli
Everyone and Everything used with permission

The Deli jukebox was cranked up high as the FoD's went
abut the task of closing the restaurant for the night.
Ron and Kathy were wiping down tables.
Leah was sitting at the counter helping Senara dry off
glasses. Spifff was in the kitchen making sure the
food inventory was ready for tomorrow.

Cindy mopped her way toward the jukebox and hit a
button to change the song.
After a few seconds Kenny Loggins 'Footloose' blasted
from the speakers.
Instantly the chore of cleaning up became a little
more fun.
That was until Spifff burst from the kitchen the
swinging door banging loudly behind her.

With the music so loud none of the FoD's noticed
Spifff's angry expression until she moved over to the
jukebox and unplugged it.

"Hey!"
"Who took away the good 80's music?"
"What happened to the jukebox?"

It was then that Senara noticed Spifff standing by the
jukebox. "Spifff? What's wrong?"

"Somebody's broke in." Spifff replied through gritted
teeth.

Cindy dropped the mop to the floor with a loud
clatter. "What's gone? Is there damage?"

Spifff sat down on one of the tables. "As far as I can
tell the only thing gone is our supply of chocolate."

"All of it?" Kathy asked with surprise.

"Who would take all our chocolate?" Leah wondered.

"This might be an attack from the Mercs." Ron
suggested.

Senara shook her head. "Mercs get hired by people.
They don't attack a faction on their own accord.  It's
how they don't get attacked as a group."

Ron said, "That kind of immunity would be great to
have..."

Cindy held up a hand to silence the group. "Relax guys
there wasn't a break in. I took the chocolate."

Senara walked around the counter and crossed over to
her friend placing a hand on Cindy's forehead. "Are
you feeling okay?"

Cindy batted Senara's hand away. "I'm not sick."

"But you ate all the chocolate." Senara pointed out.
"You're going to have one a heck of a stomach ache."

"I didn't eat the chocolate.... I gave it to a Merc.
In fact, a very good Merc." Cindy replied as she
stood.

"And don't be surprised if Mildred, the Merc Mommy
General, comes in for lunch a lot more.  We're not
charging her for it either."

Spiff grumbled, "Not only did you give her all of our
chocolate, but you've given her free food for the rest
of the war?"

Cindy smiled and said, "Well, if you're going to pay
for a job, and you want it done right, you've got to
pay for the quality."

"What'd we hire a Merc for?" Ron asked.

"To get back at the Cousins for framing us." Cindy
explained as she walked over to pick up the discarded
mop. "I have it all taken care of.... you guys don't
have to worry about anything just keep an eye on
Schanke."

"But...." Spifff protested but Cindy cut her off.

"Everything's fine." Cindy assured them as she plugged
the jukebox back in. "Let's get this place cleaned up
so we can have some fun."

As the music started again Kathy and Senara exchanged
a worried glance. Attacking the Cousins never went
without a counterattack.

*******

to be continued in part 2