Three's a Crowd

11) Reputations

"Just wanna know what ya know" the elderly lord said calmly. It took a little bit of an open mind, but he discussed all he knew; or at least, the small amount that he knew. When he finished, the grey haired Manfredi gave him a proper education. "Alphonse Capone was, as you said, was a ruthless gangster and mob boss. Now... what would make you say that."

"Because that's what they taught us in high school history class" Allister answered, holding his breath that he answered correctly.

"Nah, that's just a talking point academically privileged yahoos like to insert when talking about the consequences making prohibition part of the Constitution" Manfredi replied. "But that doesn't make it false, now does it?" the two men stared at each other for a moment, making the rest of the story seem more integral.

"You see, Capone was brutal in his leadership. He would dine his henchman before pummeling them with a baseball bat because he believed they had betrayed him. He would associate himself with people of greater social power to have more influence over his territories. And despite having his personal hand in everything, publicly and underground, he always found a way to evade prosecution. The public eye knew it was all Capone, but the authorities could never prove it was him. And that made it horrifying place to live. That's a reputation, son, at least in this business. To be able to have feel that they live in the gruesome shadow. To have the traits and skills to have everyone know your name and be fearful of what you will do with the power you hold. Like how your nerves are shaking every time I correct something you say. You're afraid you will say something I don't like and will have you punished for it. That's reputation. Understood?"

It was a lot to take in, all so very overwhelming too. "Yes sir!" he didn't think that he would be so nervous around Silvio Manfredi, but after this little lesson, he knew not to cross him. If he ever did, then he would dare to dream of what end he would meet at his hands. Surprisingly, Manfredi's demeaner turned from strict to respectful quite quickly. He patted the young robotics expert back and eased his worries. "You're young, Smythe. New to this world. Be thankful that there is potential for you here, and an expectation that you must meet."

"I understand" Allister replied. "I hope you do" Silvermane said, "this may be the last stand I have left in me. I have seen what my family has endured to bring this organization to where it is today, and I will not allow an up and coming fat cat like Wilson Fisk take it away. Nor will I allow pests like Spider-Man delay our plans."

Smythe nodded, knowing that was the goal that he had set out to do when he signed on to help him. "Then I shall do my best" he said, a lingering note of open ended-ness present in his voice. He left to walk the floor of the production lines when Manfredi said ominously, "Please do."

Reaching the production lines, Allister oversaw each step in making his machines. He looked on with a sense of childish pride, as if his dreams were finally becoming true. To see a line-up of the things he designed was quite the dream turned reality. It was not to last long, as the disruptive sound of Alex O'Hirn marching up behind him in a fit of frustration interrupted it all.

"HEY, ROBO-RUNT!" he barked across the very noisy production hanger. Allister turned around and was immediately met with the strong hands of O'Hirn grabbing him from behind the neck and forcing him to a different area of the warehouse. "Whoa! O'Hirn! What are you doing?" he asked.

"Just shut up and listen!" is all the brute said, dragging him to a separate hanger where a special piece of machinery was being build and equipped. It was very large and intimidating, larger than any of the drones that he had designed. It also had a lot of character to it as well. It looked like a metal beast with it's large bust and broad shoulders. The bust was particularly the center of interest, with a very distinctive feature jutting out into the air.