Herosae Kitsune: Chapter 8 - Sisters

Bustling by the tall sun radiant grass, the car jiggled occasionally along the tracks to the next station. “I knew I could count on you.” Kaunzi congratulated. “And you didn't put me on a death trap this time, either.”

Hiding his fingers in his hair. “It wasn't that rickety.” Tannor shied.

“Tell me more.” Sarephel requested eagerly

“I'd rather not.” Kaunzi answered. “How did Garath work out, anyway?”

Pulling her sparkling karra juice to her lips, Sarephel shrugged. “He didn't go for it so I left him there.” Drinking

“Do you trust him?”

Savouring her fine beverage, Sarephel withheld her answer, not long returning from it's potent citrus. “He seems like a good man despite the trouble I give him... I'm not sure.”

“I'd suggest making up your mind.” Kaunzi informed. “He plays a role in this debate.”

Leaning in with his knee propped shoulders. “Since that incident with him, the fuse has been lit and it makes everything much harder.” Tannor added, “If it was deliberate, you know what that means.”

“I think it's best that you let him go for it alone as you did.” Taking the glass from Sarephel, and tasting it herself. “If you went with him, he could blame you for it going off.” Returning the sparkling purple tinted bliss.

“Alright.” Sarephel requested. “Why didn't Father assign me to Tannor then?”

“Because as soon as Daddy heard about the hole, he needed me to check out the backside of our archives, and I took priority of the best stealth expert outside Beralda who's semi retired.”

“Speaking of my teacher.” Tannor added, “He's going to be at the meeting.”

“Someone had to watch the front of shop while I did dug up all the archives on staff and facility. You needed experience, and so did Garath, no one expected it to light up like this. Try not to take it out on yourself either.”

Nodding guiltily, Sarephel returned to her glass.

Meeting the end of the line, everyone's departure spread out with the crowd and those awaiting luggage. Beyond the swarm of tourists and locals alike, Tannor lead the way out. Dirt roads and wooden buildings ran the streets down both ends of town. Farms and orchards stretched to the forest walls but before there, they turned the ally behind the bed and breakfast. Aside it's wall stood a dressed man with a cigarette who nodded upon sight. Behind him, embedded was a cellar door half hidden by the stack of wood piled along it in the corner. Down the stairs was a painted stone room, insulated with hanging orange cotton and a tiled wood floor. The stairs bent inward with a railing overlooking the space. A cheep poker table with worn top adorn the rustic unpainted dowel backed chairs. Three of which were seated, leaving five more unfilled.

In the centre a man with nipped ears sat head slack with sewn cap resting his eyes. Far adjacent sat two woman, one of fancy attire, the other a more casual version of the same accountants uniform. “Kaunzi, Tannor.” She welcomed, her underling nodding with her superior.

“ Jaela, Keltha,” Kaunzi greeted in return. “Rhien.” The man in the cap raised his hand.

“Finally, people are showing up.” Rhein gruffly rumbled. “I've been here for hours bored out of my mind.” Slowly departing the cover from his eyes and untilting his chair slightly.

Sarephle sat down with her sister, the cold underground wood warming slightly under her. The door opening up stairs. “You take shift, I'm going down.” the man's voice followed down with his decent and aroma of smoke coming with him. “We got enough seats down here?”

“Doubt it Leon. Come grab one before it gets stolen so we can start this.”

“We are still ten minutes early.” Jaela informed. “I appreciate your prudence, please be patient a while longer.”

Looking back into his watch, Rhien returned to his place. Soon hearing the door open and prancing along the stairwell. “Kaunzi!” The man announced. “I knew that was you. I was waving at you at the train station, but you didn't see me.”

“No, Falan,” Dryly and as impressed as seventh tier exams, Kaunzi replied. “I didn't care. We're meeting in secret, try and at least act professional.”

“People wave at each other all the time at the station,” whiningly defending his claim. “It looks normal.”

Fixing his chair, “This guy isn't getting the point.” Rhien got up to stretch his back, exposing many scars along his stomach as his shirt lifted with him. “Sit down and get over it.” The door opened

“Falan, buddy, why didn't you wave at me when we were at the station you selfish prick?” Another mans voice came mockingly down the stairs, dressed in worn dark clothes, his reception was greeted well.

“Beralda.” Tannor welcomed.

“Finally a mature man around here.” Rhien remarked. “Anyone else or are we just waiting on Yura?”

“You'd be the best judge of that. I was not informed we would have another member here.” Looking to Sarephel. He smiled walking by. Without thought, Keltha retreated from her seat, offering it up to the man. Across the table was one last chair, and the smoke ridden man still standing after all.

“How's the kids?”

“Still getting into trouble. Especially Tannor, he's by far the worst.”

Taking the humor coldly, “I'm sitting right here.” He defended.

“I didn't know.” Falan remarked. “You two were...”

“We're not.” Beralda assured, patting Tannor on the back “Just the games of old men. How're your kids doing anyway?”

“About the same.” Rhien replied, capping off his flask. “Medicine don't fix headaches like they used to, and they sure give you a lot of them.”

“Ah, there she is.” For the last time, the door opened. “Come on down! I guess we have to get serious now.”

“I'm not even there yet.” The assumingly Yura remarked, making her way down the stairs. Her old shakey bones climbed creakily down the steep steps, turning at the bend very carefully. Sarephel remembered her face, she talked to her father quite often.

“Ma, do you need help?” Beralda requested, lifting up from his seat. Falan took interest, before noticing a dismissing gesture from the man.

“I ain't that crippled yet. Hold on.” Waddling into the last open chair. “You got any of that pain syrup left?” Rhien already handing her the flask. Waiting for Yura to finish her swig, Jaela commenced the meeting.

“Alright, unless there are any surprise guests, this meeting is open. We are gathered here in light of our knowledge surrounding the undubbed underground network fiasco. By order of Master 'Father' Herosae, we shall begin the proceeding. Who would like to start us off with making sure we are all up to date?”

Stepping forward, Leon opted himself to the table. “About two days ago, the lovely Mrs. Sarephel who is in our presence tonight, stumbled across an unmarked cavity in the back storage of a floor fifty eight repairs workshop. This unprecedented event has spawned more correlations with smaller reports over the span of the last few years as uncovered by Rhien's division of researchers. These reports were allegedly dismissed over the short sight that it was merely party holes for young punks to gather which are as common as vegetables in your soup. Kaunzi and Tannor have been going though countless restricted files over the last two days and I am curious to what they have found so far. Also in light of criminal activity, my team has been tracking surveillance footage of all the known cavities that have been uncovered so far and it's brought up some alarming statistics. Rhien, would you care to debrief us further?”

Nodding forward, Rhien sat tall, offering his piece boldly. “Our teams that have been raiding the facilities inside the cavities, have detained over one hundred and fifty workers with help of Beralda. Information is currently busy handling the massive inflow of patients so I and Leon are here representing them as well. As is, with the scene of notable workers such as Yadaro, Kalanta, Jaran, Esmondas, Rolaund, and Petre.” He read off. “They are all oblivious to the functions of their jobs, just that the pay is astounding. They are all approached by a man we have dubbed 'the employer' who as of yet has no particular pecking order to their choices other than to pick shady people at random and investigate them. The employer pulls a particular individual out of a bar, alley and even a market place. The employee is offered a no questions asked opportunity and is given a letter with the job and a meeting place for his next letter of work. We have not been yet able to identify the employer, each time he comes in a different suit and skin. He is reported as having a saggy flexible mask, and there are lots of them in his arsenal. Payments are under the table, workers are instructed by card and those who snoop around, run into the bio mechanical sentries that guard the hallways. PKE on Meji Khole has revealed the same structure of his employment, including many of his underlings. It has also unveiled a few links to other conspirators and a positive connection with the local gangs and external gangs as well. We will be extending our forces to investigate those individuals in the upcoming days.” Concluding himself, Rhien leaned back and let the next come up to speak.

Leon returned, pulling out a few documents from his case. “In most cases, workers have been working on the bio mech project but other jobs have been been arising. Smaller less funded projects have found such as weapons manufacturing, and numerous drug trafficking operations that are usually not mixed together. The inclusion of these suggest either random access to these areas, or a leak of information to selected groups.”

Yura stepped forward. “We've noticed... Pardon me darling.” Clearing her throat. “In our investigation, we've tallied some stray numbers into this. Among workers of the bio mech project there are little to no correlation with specific groups, they are at random. However with the smaller groups, almost all of them have a tie or affiliation with a particular gang which supports the previous claim. It's safe to say that there is no one particular faction facilitating the operations. It is an underground district of it's own.”

“That is somehow officially tied.” Kaunzi argued.

“I suppose. Both can potentially exist. Greed harbours no boundaries.”

“Yes,” Beralda added. “I'm curious to how your findings plays into this Kaunzi. What did you uncover.”

“Primarily that it's just as messy as everyone else at this point. The cavities or equivalent there of are based and worked around Herosae escape tunnels, only modified from the start. Instead of integrating them into the network after the point, the original documents show most all known passages and facilities. Worst of all, the documents we have in their place are forged since day one. Whoever is covering this up has been covering it for over eighty years, and the passages have been most likely in service for just as long. Whoever is responsible is high up there, it's built right into everything and we didn't even know. Connections to these tunnels go so far as Restricted Access where a subdivision of their warehousing and testing facilities are currently housing over two hundred active Bio Sentries.”

Ending her claim deafened the whole room, static ringing in one's ears became apparent in the deficit it caused. Yura, holding herself. “A single one...” Beralda uttered in grim recolection.

“We had no idea there were so many.” Leon admitted, leaning heavily against the wall, holding his chin.

“And we are certain that Master Herosae has no idea about any of this?” Rhien astounded. “That's pretty high up on the ladder right there.”

Withholding the pain of this accusation, Kaunzi retained herself. “Father launched an entire operation to uncover anything and everything concerning this without hesitation when he discovered how heavy this is.”

“You're right.” Beralda remarked, slump back overhanging his backrest, attentive to the table. “This is a mess. A real big one and it's smells terrible. No one's crapped themselves, have they?”

Grumbling seriously, Rhien scooted up. “Yeah, a lot doesn't make sense. Gangs got a hold of this mess, Tower hierarchy has a hold of this mess, it's gone on for how long and now it's blown out of the water.”

“I think we've blown it out of the water.” Everyone turned to Jaela, who's remark sparked more than she cared for. “In the last day alone we've uncovered enough mystery to overwhelm anyone. The only thing that has changed is their knowledge of our pursuit.”

“And what started that?” Rhien argued. “Garath tipped them off.” Staring at Beralda “Second best stealth professional you've got to offer and he trips on a bar?”

“Wait!” Sarephel shot out. “Garath is second best?” unbelieving.

“Unprofessional, yes,” Tannor admitted “But sad to say, he is my close competitor. Not to be associated with his blunders oh course.”

“And what about you?” Rhien turned to Sarephel. “Everything was a minor mishap until someone dragged one of those monsters all the way down to Pala Station, ringing every dirty doorbell on the way down. What say you're not in on it?”

Icey chimes hallowed like frozen moon as Kanzi rose, in a deathly scowl “If you so much as lay a breath on my sister, I'll have you thrown into TX38 under terms of treason.”

Rhien withdrew, continuing. “Alright then, Sarephel, what happened when you were down there?”

Sarephle rose herself to defend. “Well, when I was down there...” pretentious over her offence, she was cuffed upwards.

“Stop acting cocky before I smack you again.” Kaunzi commanded, eliciting a chuckle from at least two people.

“You're sisters alright.” Beralda smirked through his hand,

“When... I was down there.” Sarephel continued calmly. “Garath and I descended down the stairwell by rope, as anyone who read up our reports, the metal is as bristle as biscuits. When we approached the door my hand slipped through the hologram. When he noticed, he knocked me out of the way. He did save my life.”

“And what happened to him?” Rhien requested, returning his a leisurely manor.

“He parried the tendril with his blade but the sentry electrocuted him. He told me to run so I did. I was still in shock. There wasn't enough time to climb back up the rope so I took my chances with the stairs and had to climb the walls because of it's instability once I was out of range. I couldn't outrun it on flat ground, I didn't know the area well enough to loose it in the halls and it did not stop following me.”

“Tannor, Beralda, do you trust this Garath? You say he's unprofessional, I want to hear it separate.”

Beralda passed his hand over to Tannor. “As my close second, regardless of how he handles himself he is still honourable.”

“My student is eccentric, he's brought me many good laughs but he doesn't let his complaints get between him and his job; though he loves to be vocal about them.”

“I gave him an ultimatum.” Sarephel added. “He refused to follow me into the private archives because he wasn't qualified to do so.”

“This was after the incident, correct?” Rhien asked, Sarephel nodded. “You were taken off duty correct?”

“Protocal thirty three.” Kaunzi vouched. “It's still in effect.”

“To anyone who doesn't know.” Beralda explained. “It's a solo operation used to test allegiance in times of deceit, usually given by a permitted superior officer who's willing to take the fall.”

“So you tested him, do you trust him?” Rhein reinforced.

“Yes.”

“I guess that counts for something, I suppose.

“Does anyone else have any piece to add?” Leon requested, tiring of the bickering.

“Not yet.” Jayla answered. “I am still looking into the names that Kaunzi has forwarded to me as of last night.”

“I found some names that might check out for some large expenditures.” Kaunzi added “People are being paid large sums, that doesn't just come out of anyone's pockets.”

“My stewardess and I are cross referencing them in our time outside this meeting so I will return to it as soon as I can.”

“Do pass them onto me once you are done.” Leon asked, checking his cigarette case. “I'll want to see what I can dig up with surveillance.”

“How about you?” Rhien pointed to Falan “You haven't contributed anything so far.

“Um...” He replied, put on the spot. “I haven't really caught up with all of my home work yet. I was looking into the possible gang ties until I found out someone else was already handling that...”

“Who are you, anyway. I haven't seen you before.”

“He's my cousin.” Kaunzi admitted. Rhiens eyes rolled

“Is that his only qualification?”

“Curious.” Beralda mentioned. “Kaunzi, what tipped off restricted access? As I hear, they have you on their black list.”

“Just a mistake.” Kaunzi covered

Rhien called out “Where was Tannor at that time?”

“He was warming up the car for me when I got out.”

“Why didn't he pick us up instead of dragging me through that swamp?” Sarephel asked

Rhien, Leon, and Berelda all leaned in. Kaunzi sighed her hand inward and rested it on her head, ears cocked on one side staring unpleasantly at her sibling.

“Dude...” Leon said gravely. “I know you two are sisters and all but calling her a mistake is kind of harsh.”

“Not what I meant.” Kaunzi admitted, “But close enough.

“That's what's wrong with this whole thing...” Rhien stood up. “We've got little privileged kids running around trying to do a real man's work just because they talk to their daddy. They get in the way without being trained how to do something and make a mess of things.”

“We all want to help out.” Falan returned.

“Hey, Kaunzi, does that threat apply to squirmy over there?”

Leon stepped in. “Enough. Right now, no one can trust anyone else. Lets leave our quarrels to outside this discussion and continue them after.”

Yura stepped in, hushing the boys. “So what are we going to do with this information?”

Confidently, Falan “We're dealing with the issue aren't we? We're beating them back, it's only a matter of time before we close off the passages and reclaim it.”

“So what?” Beralda remarked. “We'll get rid of them and right under our noses they start all over again. It's not like warring an enemy into submission, as long as there are parasites left in the body, they continue to multiply until you're infected again. A new flu, a new extreme, how many holes need to be made before the tower crumbles?”

“Last I checked.” Leon realigned. “Jaela and Keltha are going to look into the names which I'm waiting on to look into. Who else?”

“I've got heads to bash,” Rhien added. “There are twelve more cavities that have been brought up with the information Kaunzi has provided to us.”

“I'll forward the names to you right away.” Jayla answered “That way you can get a head start.”

“I'll... Find... Something else to do.” Falan admitted quietly underneath everyone.

“Statistics as always.” Yura coughed up. “Pass me whatever information you need dealt with to me.”

“I've got some questions for Garath.” Beralda added.

“I have a few more leads on some staff to check out.” Kaunzi said.

Peace finally found the round and everyone seating at it. A brief moment passed before conclusion “If that is all...” Leon announced, rustling his case. “I will adjourn our our meeting until further information can be acquired. I need a damned smoke.” Walking out for fresh air to pollute. Rhien immediately followed. Falan glazed a fresh coat of dismal. Both accountants nodded their departure as they passed Kaunzi. Quiet groans emitted as Beralda got out of his chair, patting Falan on the shoulders.

“You did good for getting chewed out there kid. Tannor, Kaunzi, good travels. Sarephel.” He nodded, making his way up the stairs. “See'ya ma.”

“Don't get caught in the other boy's habits, it's bad for your lounges.” Yura said in no hurry to leave herself.

“I've had enough of this dungeon.” Tannor announced scooting back.

“I'll see you inside the tower then?” Kaunzi replied.

“I'll send you a message once Master Herosae has amended you back in.”

“Warm the seat for me while you're at it.” Repelling to her feet, Sarephel close behind. Forgotten as the spring flowers, brisk fresh air rushed into the body and sun danced as it dangled fireballs in their eyes. Tannor walked off, passing the two smokers by the broad wooden edge of the inn. “What do you want to do?” Instigating in a clar-voiced incentive. Bubbling internally, Kaunzi was almost screaming inside, strickening Sarephel's guard. She was unable to pin why.

Calm vibes of the after lunch diner echoed a strange element about everything around her. Light began shining on the foreign nostalgia that crept on Sarephel, irking her to push it away. It seemed like forever since she saw this ancient side of Kaunzi, ecstatic and cheerful, her sister. Waving around, Sarephel's eyes followed the menu that conducted her sister's wild symphony. “I think I'd like more places like this in the tower. Everything is so different here.” Sarephel nodding blindly following the onslaught of remarks. “Their clothing shops are messily here, I wish they had more business. Do you even know when the last time I went shopping was?” Finding herself silenced by dark red sizzling exploration placed in front of her and another glass chasing it.

“You always could,” Sarephle stated, retrieving her beverage. “You don't work every waking hour.”

“I might as well be!” Catching herself to gauge her volume.

Stealing back the menus, “Like, who's watching father now?” Taking a peek.

“Izeal. Daddy's old guard. Like...” Kaunzi returned “When was the last time we got to hang out together?”

Frozen, glancing off the menu back to Kaunzi.

“Exactly. Sarephle, I miss the old days. When you and me used to... Wrestle and run around the tower causing trouble. Nothing stopped us back then.”

“Except daddy and his aids.”

“I mean, did that stop us?” Kaunzi posed, opening her gullet to half the glass. “We didn't care back then, life was just a game.”

“But, we grew up.” Sarephel jading over.

“So?” Kaunzi asked, a straw hanging crooked to her mouth without a vessel. “Did we have to? Is all of this just to live?”

“I don't think I get it.”

“Where are your dreams? Your aspirations?”

“What are you going on about? I have them.”

“Are you happy with your job? You could have become anything other than a soldier.”

“I became one because I wanted to.”

“Stop lying to yourself, you did this because of me.” Kaunzi shot out, returning to a calm disposition. “Ever since we were young... Ever since I took self defence and we stopped hanging out, you joined a few months later. I graduated into the guard and you came in behind me, begging father to get you in early. You've always been right behind your big sister. You chose to give up your happiness for something else. That's why daddy tried talking you out of upgrading all these times. He understands what you have to sacrifice... What I've sacrificed.”

Bitter frown chewed into Sarephel, the insinuation of her slavery wrapped in like blatant lies. “And what would that be?”

“There is no one who can replace me...” Kaunzi sombered, “I am the hidden star of an entire generation and unless anyone else can prove worthy of Fathers guard, Izeal can't go on forever. He's only watching dad because of this emergency. When I'm off duty, I'm living with father, sleeping by his door. That's not what he wanted for his children. It's his duty to protect us so we can grow and nurse our own.”

“You want to know why I joined joined?” Sarephel asked poorly, revealing the stagnant slag of her new understanding. “Because I wanted to overthrow father... I was just some rebellious girl with an ego seeking power because she couldn't have her selfish little way.” Heart aching under the frustrated reflection.

“And I didn't help with that at all?” unconvinced and eyes lazing, offended.

Holding the pride of her better past, Sarephle reinforced. “I loved the security of knowing I could protect myself. I didn't need anarchy to feel safe. Daddy let us because it taught us discipline. It made us better people...”

“It did, but we grew up with the short sight that having that strength was our dream. There was so much around us and we were both so busy being someone else's dream, that we couldn't follow our own. I love being daddy's guard, but there is no life beyond that for me. The only time I feel this free is when I've been... Black listed form my own home and work, waiting on the free time of my messenger to restore my reconciliation. Really, I could be attacked even now but, this freedom is so rare, I'd give up my own safety just to relish in this brief moment as short as it is.”

“I guess you're pretty happy that I angered the hornets nest, huh?”

“I appreciate this but please don't screw up again. I can enjoy being with you without almost getting killed thank you very much.” Looking around, her second glass was parting half way. “It's alright.” calling out to the waitress. “You're not interrupting anything.”

“Are you two done with the menus?” Their server asked behind the counter.

“I've barely been able to read through them.” Sarephle mockingly scowled to her sibling.

“Can I get another red jacant?” Kaunzi ordered. “And do you carry any electra beverages?”

“I don't know how you can stand those things, they always give me a headache.”

“Variety is the spice of life, who wants to drink a boring drink?... What do you want to do?” Kuanzi asked, her form bouncy again, tails dancing behind her. “Because you can still do it. What makes you happy?”

“I'm bored when I'm not working”

“Working isn't the same as living. You have someone who is though. What would you rather be doing in your life than being a guard?”

“Being with her. As far as jobs go, I like mine. Besides, everyone keeps complaining that I have special privileges so it's hard to let that go to waste.

“Is that really what you want to do for the rest of your life?”

“Retirement is pretty good. If you're lucky, you'll get a life before your an elderly woman.” Sarephel joked.

Coming in between “You're red jacant” the waitress placed, returning in X information. “We only have lateth in stock.” Shaking firmly, Kaunzi declined the option.

“What, I thought you liked flavours.”

Furiously defensive, Kaunzi informed “I've never liked lateth” Tinting to a side of disgust “It tastes like someone pulled a raw metal fork out of a bottle of acid.” Returning to her menu, Kaunzi searched before ordering. “The... The soup of the day, can I get it with salad and fries?”

Nodding, the waitress wrote down the request, turning to Sarephel. “Sorry.” Sarephel admitted. “I'm going to need another moment with the menu”

“Just holler when you're ready.” The attendant announced, parting back to the kitchen.

A small streak of quiet broke in “If you're worried about me...” Sarephel reopened

“No,” Kaunzi assured, finding her words. “It's... I'm worried for you.”

Insisting, still sucking away at her straw, “I didn't ask for that.”

“I know but, I just wish I knew what was all involved before I lost myself in this mess. This is the first time I've felt this free since we were kids.” Her tempo stumbling over itself. “I wish we could always feel this way. I wish I could live a life.”

Tired of the repeated punchline, Sarephel instilled strongly “I understand what you're getting at.” Pouring through the text in front. “Everything's alright.”

“Forget everything,” Making her point sternly, Kaunzi continuing half flustered. “Forget work, forget obligations, forget your privilege, forget me. What would you do if you could do anything?”

Sarephel retracted from her menu, hand raised. “I'd like to order a sauteed yonyin melt with a side creamy yellow sauce.” She announced, shrugging to her sister. “I don't really know, I can't really think of anything better.”

“Just... Think about it.” Solemn, Kaunzi requested, eyes deeply begging to see her sister's. “And don't hold yourself back for my sake...”

“The only reason I want to upgrade is to be with you.” Sarephel admitted “I wanted power but I'm happy as is.”

A small smirk drew on one half of her sister's face. “You've got a long way to go to rival my place.”

“I think we'd both prefer that we go back to being sisters again,” Noticing the glimmer returning. “While we got the chance.”

“Work adjourned...”

In the distance down the road siding the track, Herosae tower sparkled off it's glassy wooden curves. Their home, welcoming their return. Brushing along the roof, young trees extended their greeting arms onto the seldom driven dirt road. “Any idea what you're doing once we return?” Stretched back in her seat, Kaunzi inquired. Her sister greeting the limbs as they came, sun bouncing off her face.

“I'm going to take this lead where I know best. If the crime scene knows what's going on, I know someone who can sequel for me... You?” Distracted, inquiring back.

“You know what I'm up to!” Informing, Kaunzi straightened her gaze forward. “It's you that didn't say anything at the meeting.”

“Yeah, I didn't really feel like being chewed by Big Burly the Gruff again over being a hindrance.”

“He seems tough, but he's mostly bark... At least, while you're with me.”

“I've been entertaining the thought of you telling him off.” Sarephel chuckled.

Dryly, “Don't get used to it.” Kaunzi demanded. “I'm not going to fight all your battles with them. They got a problem with you, they have their ways too. But... I know you can handle yourself. Try not to piss them off too badly.”