Following the Pakistani mercenary, were a group of Freelanders that Ekrem explained had come here as refugees after Billy the Kid had taken control over the Wild West. The Freelanders included people of many races: Apaches, whites, blacks, Mexicans and defected Nazis and Soviets. A bidding war commenced with each mercenary group getting at least one of them. Ekrem explained how the Lodge was planning a revenge showdown match, where the mercenaries would battle it out with Billy the Kid.
Further free agents came up: an old UFC fighter, a defector from the Nazi-Soviet war (Ekrem explained how this one was actually sent here by the government since the public hated him), a prospective Laamb wrestler from Senegal, a silent fighter known as Dark Whisperer, wearing a mask, an old intelligence agent and many more.
Professor Terry watched all these, ate his food, listened to Ekrem and the crowd's reaction, and found that he was enjoying himself. It had been a while since him and Crazy Terry had had time to relax.
Mr. Ekrem tapped Professor Terry's knee telling him to watch the screen as the segment where the transfers between mercenary groups would happen. Again, Mr. Ekrem didn't need to as the crowd's reaction told him enough. This was the main event of the bidding showcase. This was where all the drama happened, and where the bookies would get rich.
By this time, Professor Terry was starting to feel kind of hazy as the food he had eaten was starting to settle into his stomach. He watched the mercenaries that stepped onto the stage, among which were a young teenager who Mr. Ekrem explained was very prospective, as he had travelled the world to perfect his fighting, but unfortunately, had adopted a bit of an ego. This was why the mercenary group he was contract to had put him up for a transfer. There was an old veteran, who had been loyal to his mercenary group pretty much since the Lodge had started, but was much too old to fight anymore, and so had been put up for a transfer. As the curtains were parting for the final transfer, Mr. Ekrem sat up in his seat with a huge smile on his face.
It was La Messiah. Professor Terry sat up too as the crowd let out an audible gasp. He turned to look at the share holder with an open mouth. "No fucking way."
Mr. Ekrem nodded, the smile getting wider. The crowd's cheering had become deafening now.
"The Messiah is leaving?"
"Yes, shocker isn't it?"
"But why? Why would they put him on transfer? He's practically the only reason they're on the map?" (Catalonia has a good economy)
"Well, he and the Real Catalania had a falling out. He's just not as good as he used to be and yet his demands have continued to rise. Recently, he asked them for half of their entire income and not a dime less. They declined to listen to him, for the first time ever, and he was having none of that. He refused to extend his contract and here we are."
"But why didn't they listen to him? Give him anything he wants?"
"That's what most people have said but Real Barcelona do not depend on La Messiah anymore. They have developed a whole line of mercenaries that could be just as good as him in the future. They have started to become self-sufficient now."
"Still, it just seems so unreal. La Messiah leaving? It just doesn't add up."
Crazy Terry listened, bored out of his mind, as they both discussed in details what would happen with the Messiah leaving. When he could not take it anymore he let the thought seep into Professor Terry's head. If I have to hear any more of this transfer bullshit, I am going to create a whole commotion in here. Get your head in the game! We're not here to play football manager like we're in high school anymore. I know that's all you did in school besides wanking a lot and reading your science books. Now c'mon, get a move on!
Professor Terry took a sip of his martini. "So now that the event is over, when do you think we can meet up with Mr. Pete?"
"There will be a small exclusive after party now. Why don't you come too? I can get you in."