It had been nearly two weeks since the great war and the streets of Detroit were barely clean from all the blood that had so recently covered them. But that wasn’t the only thing that needed to be cleaned up TrashPanda had been thinking to himself as he contemplated how best to serve his toad faced boss Farage, not to mention the fine city that he was proud to call his home.

Since all the chaos and the huge number of deaths in the war the city’s services had pretty much come to a stand still, public services had practically stopped overnight with a lack of personnel to organise and run them. Now businesses were growing again and families to so much so that another major problem was rearing it’s stinky congealed fetted head…. Trash! The streets were over flowing with uncollected bins, dumpsters restaurant waste, the odd body still hidden up a back alley, now that was  brilliant for a TrashPanda like himself, but obviously not so good for the rest of the demographic, besides really he wanted all the Trash for himself before that sneaky Elodin tried to make a play for it.

Stepping out of Atrocities in the business district, a noble establishment of fine repute might I add, he paused momentarily to contemplate just how soothing the hollandaise from his Greg’s Benedict was on his nether regions.

‘mmm heavenly’

He turned to check himself over in the darkened glass window and ensure no rogue patches of the delicious sauce or any poached egg remnants could be found on his fur before continuing on his way to his pre-planned meeting with his Boss in a private booth of the No Foul Play – Pool and Billiards.

After being welcomed by the surly doorman who gave a wink that he recognised to mean his Boss was already in the back, he continued past the tables nodding at a couple of familiar faces as he went, allowing a wry smile to form as he saw Latom about to take a shot whilst holding the cue back to front.

Sitting down at the table and taking a slug of the large Bourbon that was waiting for him TrashPanda started the conversation.

‘Great to see you old friend’ ‘you too Panda’ replied Farage ‘I know time is money and you’re a busy man so let me get straight too it’

‘Nige, my mother was a TrashPanda, my father too, I’m from a long line of them. I was born in trash, I was raised on trash, frankly for my first living week I was so surrounded by trash that my mother often suckled an empty milk carton mistaking it for me, it’s half my reason to exist… it’s the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last thing I think of before falling asleep, and if I’m lucky I dream all night of wonderful trash!

Farage nodded in proud understanding of this working class upbringing being told to him by the ambitious young Panda sitting next to him.

‘We’ve worked hard together to make the family what it is today, practically bursting at the HQ doors! But I still look around and see these temporary shelters and soup kitchens across other cities and think we must be able to help more. ‘

‘I quite agree’ said the toad

‘I believe I’ve got the skills and a solution that can help solve both of these problems’ Panda continued

‘With your blessing I could open my own racket running the municipal waste facilities across the city and put many of these fine working class people in employment… just the suitably skilled ones though, don’t want any of them coming over here and taking our own people’s jobs though eh! ‘

‘Start doing that and before long they’ll be wanting benefits, healthcare, workers rights and all sorts’ chipped in Farage ‘Quite so’ Panda agreed ‘But we digress’

‘What do you say Boss, think of the extra taxes we could pull in for UKIP to help really strengthen 12^th Street and Detroit as a whole’

Farage paused for thought for a moment, which was very unlike him not to instantly start spouting jargon and the odd bit of vitriol from his jowls

‘I love it’ He burst out whilst uncontrollably spitting some flecks of his fine nations brew across the table

‘You’ve been quite the servant as my right hand Panda and you’ve more than earned this opportunity’ he continued

‘What will you call your organisation’ he asked curiously 'We’ll be known as

The Dump, a trading name of the…

Detroit Trash Federation'

‘You’ll be DTF’ Farage questioned’ ‘We sure will’ grinned back the TrashPanda ‘Well run along then and get these streets tidied up then, you’ve got a lot of work to do’ ended Farage

‘I’ll make you proud boss’ said TrashPanda before scurrying off to hunt for a snack in the nearest bin’

Latom had accompanied her boss to the fine establishment No Foul Play – Pool and Billiards in the city of Detroit. Farage had gone straight in to the back in order to set up the meeting with TrashPanda. Latom stayed behind at the pool tables to keep watch. Even though the bossman had his own entourage of bodyguards she still wanted to make sure things were safe. Paid mercenaries were never as good as the one freely prepared to lay down their life. Plus she like to play quite a lot from her days as a hustler. This was, of course also where she had learnt that breaking was much easier with the backside of the cue rather then to right side. "A hell of a lot more power" was the words her mentor had used. 

After crushing opponent after opponent she started to get a little bored. These fuckers were no match at all, much like the man of the hour himself. TrashPanda and Latom had been playing against each other a few times. Scoreline being 43 - 0 in favor of Latom. She would give her trashy friend abuse as often as she could. Anyway... Getting bored she went over to the bar in order to get something to drink. Of course while never taking her eyes of the entrance or the people in the place. Getting side tracked was the easiest way of getting yourself killed in this line of business. No one was getting killed on her watch.

After what felt like forever her furry friend made his way from the back of the establishment towards the bar where she was standing. She turned towards the barkeep to order a drink for him as well. Turning around she looked down with a curious look on her face.

"- DTF is open for business." TrashPanda said with a grin on his face.

"- Fucking awesome, congrats!" Latom said with a big smile on hers. Before TrashPanda could say anything else she turned towards the rest of the room.

"- Drinks on this guy! Because today we throw the trash out!"

There was a big cheer from the rest of the room and Latom just knew that this was going to be wild one. An epic night no one would remember.

It had been a busy week for TrashPanda and his fellow members of The Dump, following the recent war there was once again an abundance of refuse piled up across the cities that had needed clearing before Elodin contaminated it all with his disgusting (and probably rabid) slobber, not to mention his hoard of fleas. With business booming, the headquarters filling nicely and in the biggest surprise of all Gash proving to not be utterly useless as his right hand man things were looking up.

It was then that he’d received the call to meet with FatherJack and Farage in a private booth of Atrocities, he’d felt a little uncomfortable at the choice of this venue for a business meeting, but when both your city and district head make requests you have to respect it and hope for the best. The meeting it had to be said had gone very well for TrashPanda, not only did all three gents agree that having a few drinks and chatting business together without the constant bullying and harassment of Latom was a pleasure they were rarely able to enjoy,  conversation had soon rounded on the big surprise.

FatherJack had taken a slug of his Bourbon before turning more seriously to TrashPanda.

“Panda” he started, “Farage and I have had some discussions lately about how brilliant you’ve been for Detroit and an opportunity has come available for you to expand your business further afield’

“West had approached me about moving an outstanding individual to take a district in Philly and work with the newly appointed city head Evelina and her occasionally idiotic right hand @LuciferMorningstar and of course you were the stand out candidate. Not only is it an exciting opportunity to really help shape the city alongside her, but this can only help strengthen our own cities ties with Seattle”

“I quite agree boss, I’ve heard nothing but great things about Evelina and am honoured to work with her. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me here in Detroit, it’ll never be forgotten”

With that said Panda knew he had a busy time ahead of him to get the new headquarters set up so he shook the hands of both men and nodded in great respect before heading for the door, carefully avoiding any poached egg splatter on the floor. Once outside he jumped in the car alongside Gash, who’d been waiting out front in case any trouble had arisen.

“Big news my friend we’re heading to South Philly to set up operations there, but first give Tamo all call, tell him to get out of that casino for 5minutes and get him to send our finest bottle of scotch over to be ready for Evelina to arrive at her new HQ”

“Sure thing boss” replied Gash, “Where to now?”

“To Philly of course numb nuts! Let’s get a meeting set up with Evelina so we can put our heads together and plan the bright future for the city”

Mercury was finally getting settled into her flat in Detroit. The movers were bringing in the last items.

Put my desk by the window, Mercury directed them. She liked to watch the streets. You never know what might be coming!

The couch can go in front of the fireplace. Put the end table on the right, she said.

Mercury tipped the movers as the last pieces were finally in place. She stood at the entrance and looked around. This will work just fine! It's nothing fancy but it is home! It was time to check in at the HQ. Mercury locked her flat and hailed a cab. She gave the cabby directions.

When Mercury arrived, there was an eerie feel about the place. There was no activity. Mercury paid the cabby and climbed the stairs. AS she approached, she ran into someone carrying a box. She tried the doors. They were locked.

HEY YOU! WHERE THE HELL IS EVERYONE? she yelled at the guy carrying the box.

PHILLY, he shouted back.

What was going on? Why was everyone in Philly? Mercury kicked rocks and headed back to her flat. When she entered she noticed a telegram on the floor. She picked it up and read it.

We are moving to Philly. We will be led by Evelina. Pack your bags!

An address was at the bottom of the message! Mercury looked around and huffed. She had just gotten settled not an hour ago and here we are moving! Mercury stepped into the streets and walked to the moving company.

I need some men and a truck to take my things to Philadelphia, the South Side, in three days. I'll send you a telegram with the address. Mercury set out plenty of cash and the keys to her flat on the counter. Now to find a driver to take her to Philly so she could find a new flat. Mercury left the movers and began looking for a prospective ride. Surely if she threw money at it someone would oblige.

not to mention his hoard of fleas

I am sorry to disappoint you TrashPanda, but I have no fleas. I have a very strict protocol for my personal hygiene, which involves a daily bath in the river behind the HQ headquarters (I had to remove some annoying polluters upstream, but it is fine now), rigorous shampooing with a peach-scented, anti-dandruff bottle I found in a nearby dumpster and the finishing touch : some cologne ! Or is it some rum ? Anyway, I smell fantastic and it gives me a silky fur !

That being said, I am sure you will yourself at home in Philly. I heard they were not a fan of raccoons previously, so there must be a tons of goodies to be found in these streets for someone who knows where to look. And Evelina probably prefers the streets to be clean anyway.

By the way, if you find a box with a rattlesnake, a scorpion and a tarantula, please don't kill them if possible. It was meant for a joke to Zapata, and I would like to recover them alive if possible ! 

"Well all I'm saying is the rumours of flea's were strong Elodin, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on this occasion, and it must be said I had been wondering where that whiff of rum kept coming from. I'd assumed it was just Gash and his well documented alcohol problem"

TrashPanda however noted to himself there had been no counter against the rabies mentioned though. "Better disinfect a few trash cans where he's been spotted" he muttered to himself whilst snacking on half eaten hamburger from the gutter.

Well I'm sure your right about Evelina liking clean streets, however as for a love of racoons based on her devious plans for the hideous painting that she'd tried to take from West before her move to Philly I'm not so sure.

That's a tasy and intruiging sounding box though are you sure you wouldn't mind if i just snacked on the scorpion, they're hard to come by normally, but such a delicacy. I'd happily replace it with a particularly vicious ferret so that Zapata isn't dissapointed?