Entomophobia: Fear in all sizes.

How did he do it? The Hive. How did he knock over twenty three mini-marts and gas stations without ever holding a gun? He'd been all over the city from the high class parts Diamond City to the ghetto of Mocca City, and everything in between, stepped on everyone's dick from north to south and east to west without ever leaving a trace of his involvement except for the of anyone nearby paying more attention to attacking wasps than any suspicious characters in the area. Cameras were useless, those in good conditions weren't in a place to get the robber's face, those that were, were covered or blacked out by something. But no suspects matching the height of the suspect were ever caught casing the facility.

The Police were useless in the matter, they had bigger fish to fry thanks to issues with the Gangs. No real investigative work ever get's properly done thanks to that. Most cases have been written off as random, with the witnesses dismissed just as quickly.

So how did the Hive do it?

Fear.

It all starts with a phone call you see. George answers his burner phone, a simple razor throw away, it was garbage but all that The Hive needed to function as an information broker, he kept a regular smart phone for more social occasions, but work was always through a burner it was the safest way. If he needed to he could trash it and run. Not like he didn't have all the numbers in a notebook in safe keeping. He could always reprogram a second. Or have his little minions do it.  

The phone call was from one of George's informants, he was an information broker of sorts before getting his powers and now after he'd making all of his deals, paying for information in ways he never thought he could getting access to juicy tidbits. But now he was using his information to wage a bit of a war. A war he felt he was winning, the Red Diamonds were destabilized and infighting. That infighting presented an opportunity. There was always fire bombing contested drug warehouses, but those were always in out affairs. No the real criminal handiwork went to the small businesses no longer paying protection to the now divided Red Diamonds. Essentially no-strings-attached money.

The First step is always recon. George had to have a good understanding of the security measures of the store. Cameras, motion sensors, lasers, alarm bells, where they were and were pointing and if they could be bypassed by his little bugs or not. If not George would 'clog' the cameras and motion sensors with bugs. Spiders or bees. They were particularly good at this aspect depending on how much time George had in the store. Perimeter work was always done by Dragonflies, they were the lookouts, and the Dragonflies were always backed up by a squad of wasps. If the Dragonflies identified a possible intruder the wasps would divert their attention and keep them away. Even drivers, as soon as they opened their doors would be swarmed if they got too close.

The real trick was the cashier, and getting them to move. Most people, most were scared of something, something tiny, bees or wasps, or spiders. George had all at his disposal, and he wasn't afraid to use them.  Making sure to make the employee run or hide as long as George was in the store. Fear was a wonderful thing to capitalize on, and the fact he was gifted with a power most people that was at least revolting and some even thought it was horrifying. George himself thought the power was most wonderful. He would keep his face pointed away from cameras that weren't covered, sabotage the cash drawer, usually with a command from the keyboard that most left unlocked, A simple cash command was all he needed most times. If not a swift kick usually sufficed.

This time The Hive was in and out in three minutes, pulling the bandanna down from his face as he cleared the parking lot he swept his fingers through the cash, stacks of non-sequential bills, hundreds, fifties, twenties tens and fives. Everything from the drawer except ones.  He would walk with a little bounce in his step, he had over a thousand dollars here, a good haul. Not his best but certainly not bad at all. Clearing the street he would give the recall order and his bugs would make their way back to him at their best possible speed, arriving in droves. "Easy button." Another shop another easy score.

For a moment he'd stop and watch his handy work. Until someone important showed up, like he fell out of the sky and landed in George's lap, like a gift from god.

Things kept going from bad to worse, not that things ever really got world in this kind of a lifestyle. Charon had known that when he started, but it was the best way to achieve his goal and life out his life in the style he wanted. He was tired of always being on the bottom, always having to play nice or kiss up to others. One day he'd be on top, and people would come to him for his protection. However, this dream took a big dive when Father was pronounced dead. Charon was trying to figure out not only how to stop the ship from sinking, but also how to convince the entire crew that Charon would make a better ally than Lazy Eye. Before any of that could happen though, Charon had to make sure there was something to salvage.

They were being targeted because of what was happening. A disorganized group, no matter how big, was the easiest to strike at. Someone was robbing some of their smaller locations to just caused the Red Diamonds to bleed even more. Charon had to get some information before this became a mortal wound.

Charon pulled up in a truck with several of his boys, all of them getting out with weapons as they looked over to the store. "All of you fan out, find anyone who might have seen something and bring them to me" Charon said plainly as he looked about the store. He had his weapons on them, but had a feeling he wasn't going to be using them tonight. "Let's move!"

Well wasn't this a treat!? George thought from across the road as the truck pulled up and thugs spilled out all carrying weapons. At their lead was none other than a man also known as Charon. Someone that Arachna had her eyes on, she did that, sort of a talent scout she'd even approached Charon before. Maybe he'd be able to curry favor with the head mistress of the Legion if he managed to bring the man to heel.

It was a sure plan, and considering they were now securing Red Diamonds old territory it was obvious that this man's gang was working for, or maybe with the Red Diamonds something that he'd not figured upon when he'd taken this store for all it was worth. But this presented itself an opportunity as The Hive watched from across the street, palming the wad of cash into his jacket and peeling away a twenty, he stuffed in his pants pocket with his phone, he also took his Bond Derringer and stuffed it into his other pants pockets. Then The Hive discarded his jacket and bandanna into some bushes, leaving behind a small swarm of honey bees as a deterrent to anyone that would molest the jacket filled with cash and gun.

This left George pretty exposed only the simple wife beater and his ear buds hanging around his neck as he crossed the street toward the gas-station like he was a regular shopper. This wasn't going to go as easily as he'd thought as soon as he'd stepped foot in the street he had a weapon pointed at him and was instantly being questioned as to what happened to the gas station.

Of course being an information broker and street kid George convincingly lied his ass off about just having started toward the mini-mart after a pack of smokes and a coke. This would be the point that the thug would bring him back to Charon. Theses modern gang-bangers were so predictable. The banger didn't even check his pockets. Sloppy.

When George saw Charon he opened his mouth and the first thing to come out was nothing but a joke. "I'll take a pack of Camels, none of that menthol shit, and a coke." He handwavingly ordered the man with a full shit eating grin of pearly white teeth. Even with all the guns around this was going to be fun, a lot more fun than he'd initially imagined it to be.

Charon was getting irriated at this. However this was being done wasn't the work of Mammon, was it another gang that saw the Diamonds as a threat and wanted to hamper their progress? Unfortunate lucky? Something else entirely? Charon had to believe that this was targeted, no way all of these stores were being hit in such a professional matter. This needed to stop whatever it was, and Charon meant to find out who was behind it. He'd take drastic measures once things got back in order if he had to.

The young man looked over as someone was brought before him. However, this new guy quickly made a joke about ordering food. Yeah, Charon wasn't in the kind of joking mood right now. Charon just made a quick motion of his hand, causing one of his thugs to move behind George and smack his back with the bottom of one of their guns, aiming to send him to his knees.

"Now that I have your attention we can make this quick without hurting you anymore. I'm guessing if you're a smoker you come here regularly which mean that you know who really runs this area. Now, we've been getting hit a lot more than I enjoy right now. So tell me, ever seen anyone acting suspicious around here? At this store specifically?" Charon asked.

It was the East District, everyone acted suspicious.

Ouch. With a swift stroke of the butt of the gun The Hive found himself on his knees staring up at the half-masked man who was now asking some serious questions. "This is Jadetown. There's only one gang that makes a serious claim here. That's Red Diamonds..." George's answer was spot on as he looked around at each of the thugs. "Except none of you are members." Again the man was spot on. "Not to mention this place hasn't paid Red Diamonds protection money in nearly a month. "And Yes, I see several suspicious guys." Of course George was trying to keep the mood light, "But I assume you're not referring to yourselves. So all I know is I've been seeing a lot more low-class bangers around here."

Of course anyone would know that the low class gang-bangers George was referring to were punks, some did hits on places like this without even knowing that there was anyone was being paid up for protection. It was a possible solution to what Charon was asking. But the fact that he knew that Charon wasn't in the Red Diamonds would be more of a concern right now.

Charon raised an eye and looked around at his members. Charon had a bit of a reputation, but he wasn't sure what this guy was saying or where he was getting his information. His work with the Red Diamonds was decently known, but few knew that Charon had an alliance with them rather than completely joining them and merging their resources. That raised some interesting questions for the individual in front of them.

"And how do you get your information?" Charon asked curiously. "You don't seem like someone that just smokes in his free time. You appear to listen, a trait that's growing more and more rare in this age"

"It's like you said, Charon, I listen." The Hive responded with a sort of word play when his captor asked. "I've lived in Diamond City since I was a child, I have a near to the ground in every part of this city, and in every gang that's worth knowing. It pays to stay informed." He looked away at the counter where he could feel the cigarettes beckoning to him. "And yes, I smoke, drink and..." He paused looking for the correct words, "Hire classy escorts." Of course The Hive even on his knees surrounded by some tough looking motherfuckers, had a joke.

"As for you. There's a lot of talk on the street about you, the Red Diamonds and Lazy Eye." Though word of father's passing hadn't reached George, talk of a successor to the man abounded most of the muscle in the Red Diamonds preferred the aggressive mannerisms of Lazy Eye. "Unless you'd like to do business, I'd like my pack of smokes and to go about my way."

"Let him up" Charon said to his men. This guy was no threat, and if he tried anything too funny Charon knew how to deal with him. There wasn't much point in keeping him here, though Charon was curious enough to pose a question to him before he left. "Before you get your smokes I have to ask, what exactly is the word on the street about me? Most people avoid talking behind my back, so I can't help but be curious about what the good word is"

George stood up and dusted himself off making good and sure that he was fairly well cleaned off before turning to face Charon, looking the man up and down a bit before looking away. "Well." He started in a solemn tone, knowing that Charon wasn't going to like what he was about to hear next. "Word on the street is that while people like you a lot, you're putting out brush fires and Lazy Eye is consolidating power. Most people think he's going to make a move soon. If he isn't already in the act as we speak."

Taking the time George stepped to the counter and plucked a pen from the bunch meant for people writing checks... who wrote checks anymore? After a quick search he plucked a note pad from beside the register and wrote down a number. "I fancy myself an information broker. If you need intelligence or services. Or a place to keep your head down, in case the rug is pulled out from under your feet, Just give me a ring, and I'll see about setting something up." The Hive ripped the number from the pad and folded it, holding it out to him, making sure that Charon would be the only one that saw it.

"Never took myself as a guy that was supposed to be liked" Charon remarked. Course, George was right. Charon was good at instilling fear in his enemies, but he also knew how to treat his subordinates well, something that set him apart from most egotistical gang leaders. Charon still had an ego, he just tried not to beat his men to death with it.

Charon glanced down at the number written down. He didn't see much value in trusting a complete stranger. "Appreciate the offer, but I'm pretty sure that I can handle myself just fine. If I need a place to hide, I'd rather I be the only one to know where it is. Still, if a job ever comes up I'll make sure to keep you in mind" Charon said before placing the number in to the chest pocket of his jacket.

When Charon took the note George shook his head with a smile. "My freelance prices are pretty high ya know." Turning away he placed his twenty dollar bill on the counter and reached over pulling out a pack of smokes that he'd mentioned before and pulled one from the new pack, brandished his lighter and lit it. That would be when George's phone rang.

Pulling the device from his pocket slowly George flipped it open, answering automatically and held it up to his ear. "Speak." He commanded, "Slow down. Who?" He asked into the receiver, before placing his hand over the phone and looking at Charon, "Sorry." before taking his hand off and looking at the ground as he spoke. "4th street? The Drug lab?" George repeated. The Red Diamonds had untouched assets on fourth street including a small drug stockpile, which had become very valuable the Legion had firebombed the main facility. "Whose leading?"

The compound two syllable sound caused George's eyes to shoot up to Charon. "Hold on." He ordered into the phone. Pulling it down from his face he hit the mute button, and looked to Charon. "As a thanks for not blowing off my head I'll let you in on a little secret." He then turned the mute off and hit the speaker button. "Tell me everything you just said again."

The voice in the phone sounded a little unsure as he responded. "Uhh... Lazy Eye is personally gone down to Fourth Street with a bunch of muscle to grab the largest remaining Stockpile of drugs in Ruby City."

"Thanks." George responded putting the phone back to normal talking mode and bringing it up to his ear, "Who else have you told about this?" He asked waiting for a response before replying "Keep it that way."

Charon just waited and listened as the phone call took place. A part of it felt too easy, too convenient, but how could this guy have known that Charon was coming here tonight? And there was no way to signal a phone call at this moment. Charon had no reason to suspect that the information wasn't accurate. Still...something was off about this guy, he gave Charon a nervous feeling that he just couldn't quite shake.

"Interesting" Charon finally said as he glanced from the phone to George. "Your gratitude is well placed. Assuming your friend is accurate I'll be most grateful to have this information" Charon insisted. The money they lost at this place would be nothing compare to the drugs that Lazy Eye would be rounding up now. If Charon acted quickly, perhaps he could figure out where Lazy Eye was going to move it.

"Boys we're moving out!" Charon called as he rounded his men back on to the truck. "Keep your head down friend" Charon said as he moved in to passenger side of the car. "Hell's going to reign down on this city soon, don't want you getting caught in the crossfire" he said before shutting the door as the car began to move.

"Thanks." The Hive responded waving a hand at a departing Charon.

Timing. That was Georges super power. Information came in all the time, he'd had his contacts keeping him informed as much as possible on Red Diamonds activity, such pieces came in all the time. But this time it was particularly fortunate. Charon's arrival and the phone call from his informant were both masterfully serendipitous, like someone had planned it all out.

As much as George wanted to claim it all for himself it was purely dumb luck.

When all the men drove off George recalled his bugs, and as they were close enough sent them to the camera to cover it as he helped himself to the twenty he'd placed there and another pack of cigarettes, the shop keeper was still in back cowering as if told to stay there by a goon until they were gone.

As George left the front door he gave the recall order again, and proceeded across the street to retrieve his jacket, lit cigarette still hanging out of his mouth. "Only time will tell for sure but, I'd say that went pretty damn good."