Page 13 of Apocalypse
After they took a few sips, Conrad told them that he knew of their pseudo-names, but he didn’t really know the horseman’s real names.“Which doesn’t matter because I can tell you where they are from and that way you can track them down.”
Bane looked angry as he asked, “What can you tell me about Mr.Red.I wanna meet the man personally.”He cracked his knuckles with a methodical snapping.
Bastian glanced over at him, knowing his anger was related to the attack at the rest area.
Conrad shook his head.“He actually wears red vests under his suits, or red silk shirts.His limo is even red.He is partial to the color.The man’s a strutting peacock.He walks like a man of power but to me, he’s a fucking pussy.”
Bastian and Bane both smirked.
“Why do you say that?”Bastian asked.
“Hudson and the other two at least looked like they had some real man in them.Ya know like they could and would go a few rounds if they had to.But not Mr.Red.A neat freak complex with delusions of his own importance.Like he might have a nervous breakdown over breaking a nail.”
Bane stared at him.“You’re kidding.”
“No sir, I am not.He is possibly the most annoying person you will ever meet.His voice alone was enough to make me want to knock him the hell out, just so he’d shut the hell up.”
“What we need to know is his role in this,” Bastian clarified.
“Oh, yes.Of course.He will be shipping the weapons to a special army.One that will obey them, protect them and carry out their dirty orders.Then he will be transporting this same army up along our waterways.All paid for up front of course, as there is no trust among filthy murderers.”Conrad sneered as you could clearly see his hatred as he paused to add, “Much like the Gestapo honestly.Hitler is Mr.Rogers compared to these lowlife no good malfeasants.”
Orrin sat down at the table and quipped, “Gee mister, tell us how you really feel.”
Bastian and Bane shook their heads.
“Oh, on the contrary, young man,” Conrad replied.“I am holding my hatred at bay presently.”
“Oh, really?”Orrin chuckled.“Then I won’t ask why you look so much like that school teacher gone rabid that we took down a few days ago.”
“Brother, he is the real Conrad Winters,” Bane spoke up.“His twin brother took over his life in order to get the money to make his dreams of world domination come true.”
Orrin scoffed.“But instead, thanks to Faith and Dante he was sent to hell.Maybe he can dominate that.”
“As long as he is gone, I can finally sleep at night,” Conrad said.“Now about Mr.Red, he was fond of my brother.So, he will send one of his armies after you.”
“Already did,” Bane said.
“Oh, my.”Conrad’s eyes widened in alarm.“Was it the Ninjas?”
Bastian nodded.“Yes, about 75 of them.”
“Yes, a formidable force.I heard about the buildup of his Red Ninjas a few times during their meetings.How on earth did you beat them?”
“We didn’t really,” Orrin answered this.
“What do you mean?”Conrad looked mystified.
“Faith, the woman who rescued you today.She took care of most of that army.”
“Astounding!”Conrad exclaimed.“My brother told his horse cronies about this super soldier nonsense.I suppose it wasn’t nonsense after all.”
“It saved our asses a couple of times now,” Orrin flat out admitted.
“As for your Mr.Red,” Conrad went on.“You can find him on the Missouri River on his ship.It is reportedly a monstrosity of a vessel.So large that it cannot navigate some areas.It is well fortified however.So, you’d best have your blue eyed warrior woman with you when you go to take him down.”
“You do know the Missouri is helluva long right?”Orrin asked.
“Whys sure.”Conrad grinned at him.“...There is only one river with a personality, a sense of humor, and a woman's caprice.A river that goes traveling sidewise, that interferes in politics, rearranges geography, and dabbles in real estate.A river that plays hide and seek with you today and tomorrow, follows you around like a pet dog with a dynamite cracker tied to his tail.That river is the Missouri.” At the startled look on Orrin’s face, Conrad laughed.“One of my favorite authors George Fitch wrote that.”
