[A collaboration between myself and Sep]
The Lonely Spacer
Nadene adjusted the collar of her dress suit for the hundredth time as she entered the bridge of the Abbadon,, dressed to the nines and ready for a pleasant evening of negotiation. Her suit gave off an air of professionalism, but it was trimmed loose and fashionable. Formal, but relaxed and easygoing. Perfect for a meeting on the Spacer, she thought as she stopped to check in on the cockpit before disembarking.
Sayth's face was practically pressed up against the glass, awash in neon lights and the promise of debauchery. Beyond her, the side of the Lonely Spacer stretched away, dozens of ships flitting to and from its side like bees around a hive. Daxx certainly isn't lacking for business, Nadene thought, unsurprised. The Salarian pilot turned to face her when she entered, trying and (failing) to keep an eager smile off of her face. "Permission to go aboard, ma'am?"
"This one would also like to disembark, if it would not be a trouble." Athican said. "This one has some contacts it would like to meet on board, as well as some potential clients that may need dealing with."
His voice, quiet and unassuming as it was, caused Nadene to jump. She hadn't heard the Hanar enter. Creepy bastard. "Yes, fine," she said, a bit impatiently. "Just make sure the two of you are back on board within two hours. And keep an eye open. I'm not expecting trouble, but if we have to make a quick getaway I want you both ready."
Sayth pumped a fist in celebration before remembering herself and sheepishly offering a thanks; Athican only produced a simple bow of gratitude before retreating with his usual soundless tread.
Maybe that was a bad call, Nadene admitted to herself a moment later as she traversed the airlock and entered the Lonely Spacer proper, but those two aren't typically known to cause trouble. I guess I should just be glad that I managed to talk Vik out of coming along...
Vik maneuvered the Wily Varren into his favorite berth on the Lonely Spacer with a smile. When the docking clamps extended to secure his ship, he swiveled his pilot's chair to face Andrea. "How do I look?" He asked, flicking his collar. "This is a really important meeting, but I figured it'd be best to go with some relaxed-wear, ya know?"
Andrea was unimpressed. "Everything you own is 'relaxed-wear.'" She'd been frowning ever since they'd come out of FTL and the enormous hull of the Spacer had come into sight. "Are you sure Nadene wants your help for this negotiation? She usually goes solo, this doesn't really seem like her style."
"Uh, yeah!" Vik replied, as if offended. "This may surprise you, but there's more to me than just piloting skills and a pretty face. I happen to be an accomplished negotiator, too. Just ask Daron!"
The Quarian in question was seated on a nearby dashboard console, fiddling with his omnitool. He only shot a glance their way when he heard his name. "Huh? Oh, yeah. Vik's great with words. Practically a poet, really. I remember this one time, he was trying to sweet talk this Krogan, I mean, really laying it on thick-"
"Yes, ok, I think she gets the idea. Thanks for the input, Daron."
Andrea didn't look particularly convinced. She opened her omnitool and prepped a message. "All the same, I'm going to get in touch with Nadene, see if she really-"
Daron reached out casually, touching his omnitool to hers. Abruptly, Andrea's omnitool sparked and fizzled, collapsing into nothingness. She tapped frantically at her wrist, but nothing appeared. "What the hell did you just do!?"
"Just locked it down for a couple of hours," Daron answered with a shrug. He turned to Vik. "Pay up."
Vik tossed him a small device. "Thanks for the help. Have fun."
Andrea was reeling, caught between anger and confusion even as Daron pushed past her to exit the ship and enter the casino. "Was that your credit chit!?"
Now it was Vik's turn to shrug. "Just one of the spare ones Nadene gave me for 'emergencies' or whatever. I figured this probably counted. Couldn't have you ratting me out, right? Besides, Daron's sure he's going to win big, so it's really more an investment, when you think about it." He stood, moving to the airlock. "Alright, meeting time. While we're here, you should really try to loosen up. Go out and get drunk or something, seriously." He stepped off the ship with a smile. This was going to be fun.
The air was filled with the sounds of people and the scent of booze. Nadene strode through the casino floor, confident and poised. The crowd was thick, fools just begging for Daxx to take their money and their secrets. She would have felt sorry for them, if pity wasn't something she abhorred. Honestly, surrounded by all this merriment and debauchery, she felt a bit out of place. Sure, she could act as wild and reckless as the best of them, but her place was in the board room, locked in a debate, playing a predatory game of words and promises. Luckily, she was heading to a meeting that might just satisfy her cravings.
An arm suddenly slipped into the crook of her elbow as someone stepped up to her side. She turned, ready to knock someone's lights out, and was greeted by Vik's stupid, grinning face. Oh, you motherfucker. "Need a date?" He asked, all charm and innocence.
"What are you doing here!?" She hissed through clenched teeth, keeping her anger low-key. She had no doubt they were being watched, and it wouldn't be in their best interests to cause a scene. "I told you to-"
"Yeah, yeah," he said, waving dismissively, "You tell me to do a lot of things. Doesn't mean I'm going to do them." That infuriating smile never left his face. "Figured you could use my help. We are partners, after all. Or did you forget?"
"Did you forget that you're really fucking bad at these sorts of things?" She smiled at a group of passing businessmen who might recognize her before turning back to bear on Vik. "You're the smuggler, Tonner's the muscle, I'm the negotiator. We've got a good system here, and now you're fucking it up."
Vik's mandibles twitched. "Hey, I'm a great fucking negotiator. You've just never seen me in action. I've talked my way through sooooooo many docking officials, you have no idea. This Doxx guy-"
"Daxx"
"-Daxx guy, he can't be much different. Just you wait and see."
Nadene was seething, but there wasn't much she could do. The place she'd been been told to meet a representative of Daxx was already in sight, and closing fast. "Fine then. Just let me do all the talking. And please, don't fuck this up."
The Terminus system was as a fruitful venture as ever. He had barely been here a few hours before the hangers were full of ships full of people willing to part with their money. Some of them would win big however in truth he was the only winner. He smiled as he looked out on the bustling Casino, on the side of the viewscreen/window he watched as two frigates docked for his favourite smuggling cartel. It was odd for two of the ships to come at the same time, he knew the partner known as Vik frequented the Casino and was considered a regular at many of the tables and was quite a popular fellow however he had never partaken in any off the discussions and from what he had heard from the tables it was a good thing he hadn't. He would have to play this carefully, exploit it but not make it obvious that he was. It was a fruitful business relationship after all. He turned. "Eve.""Yes, Jason?""Tell Alex to finish up and meet them. Bring them up as soon as he is ready."
Alex stood up as soon as his communicator beeped and then walked towards the two people who were on business. They obviously knew eachother well, though there was also problems between them right now. One of his skills, reading people. Though he was glad he wasn't handling the negotiations he was terrible at talking to people. He just lacked the skill to make friends and control his temper. He could hide it, but he couldn't control it. Which was why he was always silent when playing cards. It unnerved some people however that was their issue not his. He filed what he saw under could be important later and walked up to them. This was only his job as most of the other workers were busy and he was headed up top anyway as it was his shift for reviewing the security camera footage.
He didn't offer his hand to them. He just stood on front of them. "Nadene, Jason isn't expecting your friend but the room is suitable for all of you to rest comfortably." He indicated for them to follow him when he moved to one of the private elevators. He nodded to the guard, who was wearing the same uniform as him. Some of the guards had different uniforms as they were mercenaries who were regularly changed. He got in the elevator and stood with his hands behind his back after letting both of them to stand behind him. He didn't push any button and the elevator took him up to the right level and the door opened. He indicated into the room and grunted a "Go."
Jason heard the brief "Go" from Alex and smiled slightly at that and the gruffness at which he treated their guests. He turned to the fridge and removed three bottles of beer, before moving them onto a small coffee table and taking a seat on one of the larges settees. He turned to face them. "Please, come and sit. Ignore the poor people skills of my associate." He pointed to Vik. "As your friend knows he is good on the tables however and he has his purposes." He opened the bottle of his own beer and took a sip. "Anyway Nadene, this is most irregular for you to schedule a meeting for so soon after getting in contact with me. What is it you need off me?"
"Yeah, not much of a warm welcome," Vik complained with a roll of his eyes, but he snatched up the offered beer all the same, leaning over the back of one of the settees to face Daxx with a confident smile. Nadene opted to seat herself like a normal person, taking a sip of her beer with practiced civility.
"I'm sure you have plenty of your own theories on why we're here, Jason," she answered with a careful smile, "but I'll save us all the boredom and cut right to the chase. We're looking for that artifact, same as all the others. Only, unlike all the others, we actually have a chance. We just need a bit of information first." She arched a brow in Daxx's direction. "Was I correct in assuming you know where this artifact is, or was the trip here just wasted time?"
"Wasted time?" Vik grumbled under his breath. "Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who actually likes coming here for fun..."
Jason laughed. "Now Vik, you are just a little bit sour because Alex wins at the tables quite often. Besides, he doesn't have the smugglers charm worked down the same way you do." He sipped on his own beer before he looked towards Nadene. "My dear, I would have been insulted had you not believed that I knew where it was. Not only can I tell you where it is however I have details on the Alliance patrols and as such some expert pilots such as your companion here would be able to easily navigate around the patrols without being detected. Though you know the Alliance and their stringent procedures so these routes will change within a week most likely. In terms off the actual artifact right now it is sitting being seen to by a very happy and soon to be wealthy man who has been the only one to enter it and look at it in detail. Right now I'd assume he is having transport issues as the mass relay is a mess of Mercenary vessels all wanting to get to the artifact but none risking a fight breaking out." He leaned back.
"Your best bet is to hit the artifact while it is on the move. The holder of the artifact will be known to do two things. Leave his point of origin and go to the mass relay. You gotta get him before the mass relay and to do that you have to find the starting point. The big question on everyones lips though is what is this information worth to you?"
He turned his attention to Vik. "If you wish I can offer you access to the executive tables while you are here if you do not wish to partake in the negotiations." Though he hoped that the man stayed, it made things a lot easier for him.
"I may take you up on your offer later, but right now I'm sure Nadene needs my help." Vik turned to his companion with a smile that turned her stomach into knots.
She'd been hoping Daxx's offer would be enough to get rid of her idiotic partner, but apparently the luck just wasn't in her favor tonight. She did her best to ignore the Turian at her side as she continued the negotiations. "It's good to know my faith in you wasn't misplaced, Jason. And it's good to see that you've got your focus on the potential profits, as always. I like that in a man." She paused to take a delicate sip of beer, her expression cordial and unyielding. "I'm prepared to offer you a discount of 50% on all goods and services provided by Riptide to the Lonely Spacer for the next galactic year, as well as a 25% discount on any special projects that require specific and exceptional planning. This would specifically apply to any food, drink or other material that is currently being traded between us, and any further trades that will arise in the future. Given the size of your business, and what I know of our extended dealings with the Spacer, this would mean total savings of-"
"No. No way."
Nadene stopped, surprised. For a brief, dreadful second she thought it was Daxx that had spoken, shooting down her offer before she could even finish, but her dread only intensified when she realized it was Vik that had declared his discontent. Confused, she structured a quick apology to Daxx. "I'm sorry Jason, I'm sure what my partner means to say is-"
"No fucking way." Vik reiterated, arms crossed. "Maybe you don't realize, Nadene, but I deliver to the Spacer personally, and on a regular basis. I just made a delivery a couple of weeks ago. You remember what was in it, Daxx?" Vik ticked the items off on his fingers as he listed them. "Nearly a ton of dextro wine from Oma Ker, discontinued and impossible to buy through traditional market channels. 40 crates of erkat fruit from Khar'Shan, sweet and ripe and slipped right through the blockades just before the harvest season ended. More pounds of red sand than I could count, good stuff, uncut, with enough eximo on the side to give everyone on this ship a major downer. A hard drive with the newest version of the vid-inventory tech out of Delumcore, a whole year before public release." He folded his fingers away, pausing to guzzle the rest of his beer. "Point is, that shit's expensive. And an operation like this-" he stretched his hands out to indicate the surrounding room, and the rest of the ship beyond, "-takes a hell of a lot of shit to keep it afloat. Bunch of customers with a bunch of exotic tastes. Tastes that you need us to satisfy." He crossed his arms again, a smile reappearing on his face. "40% discount, 20% on special requests. That seems like a fair deal, doesn't it?"
Nadene glared at him without a word. It's times like this that I really wish I had just left him in that prison.
Nadenes offer was sounding like one Jason could wittle and work on. Though of course Vik had to come in and ruin things. He'd have to tread carefully this whole venture could go one of two ways, he could get Vik to conclude eventually. Vik to leave or end up telling them to leave to have Nadene come back later with a better deal or lose business. AS Vik was right, a lot of business came through his ship. Though there was more than that. There was how they acquired goods. He sipped on his beer, his tone unchanging and still in his usual calm relaxed manner.
He ignored Nadenes offer for the moment, choosing to focus on Viks. That would add insult to injury and help him further down the line. First he snapped his finger as a, what he was told, attractive Turian came and placed another ice cold beer on the table before once again leaving the room. "Now, Vik." He took a sip from his own beer. "You should know as well as I do without my information you would be unable to do most of those things. Your fine flying skills only get you so far, what gets you the rest of the way? Knowing where patrols are. Where the best crop is and who to go to?" He turned to Nadene for this point. "I mean this as no threat to your enterprise however the main reason I do not do these things myself as it is so useful having you do it with your fine pilots. If this venture became unprofitable however I could always find someone else or do it myself, I am surprised I already do not have a discount after all I have done for you. Why, I helped get you out of prison, Vik."
He placed his beer on the table and clasped his hands together. "The Artifact will make whoever finds it rich and powerful. You know as well as I do without routes to the artifact and knowing its exact location you are going to be outgunned. Speed is only beneficial if you can use it. I can give you the chance to use it. 50% Discount for at least five years, including special projects. You know I never smuggle people which is what is usually classed as special." Now, they were negotiating prices. He had deliberately started high, though if Vik continued he'd probably go higher.
"Prison? What..." Vik turned to Nadene, face stricken with confusion. "What's he talking about?"
Nadene could only offer a calm smile. "Yes, Jason was one of the intermediaries I utilized when clearing your criminal record and getting you out of prison." She allowed herself a small glare in Daxx's direction. "One of many intermediaries, and I'm sure he was quite satisfied with the payment he received for his help."
"Well, forgive me for being ungrateful. You pulled a few strings, so what? Nadene still did all the work. As far as I'm concerned, she's the only one I really have to thank for getting me out of that hell-hole, and I'm not about to repay her by standing idly by while she gets scammed."
Nadene cut back in with a hasty clarification. "Despite his tone, Jason, my partner here doesn't mean to imply you haven't been a good friend to us. You have, and I wouldn't feel unjustified in saying that we've been good friends to you. For the past few years, our organizations have benefited each other, and I know both of us would hate to see that relationship fall apart, informal as it is."
"Doesn't change the fact that he's playing us with all of this smug, "ha ha your organization is inconsequential to me" bullshit," Vik objected, still adamant even as his smile betrayed his good humor. "Five years is too long, and 50% is too high. Yeah, you can get someone else to get you supplies, but would it be worth it when you've got already got us, an established organization, to do it for you? I don't think so: individual smugglers are untrustworthy and inefficient, other organizations won't even offer you the goodwill that we do. Setting up your own illicit trade operations would take more money and time than they're worth." His second beer was already half gone, but he continued to chug away like there was no tomorrow. His mouth was flecked with foam as he continued to spit out words. "We're useful to you, you said it yourself. So why try to bankrupt us with terms like that? We're good for your business, you should probably be helping us regardless of the discount. Hell, the money our smugglers throw away in your casino probably more than makes up for what we charge you anyway..."
Nadene had to hide a smile. Well I'll be damned, maybe he's actually got some skill for negotiating after all. Or he's just dumb and lucky. Either way, not bad. "My partner is correct," she elaborated carefully. "What's good for Riptide is good for the Lonely Spacer. With that artifact, our organization could really hit it big, which means more items for you at faster speeds and lower costs. In some ways, you could consider it an investment. Help us out now, and know that your organization will reap the rewards for years to come. The agreed-upon discount is simply icing on the cake, as you humans say." Her beer was finished. She placed it carefully on the table as she fixed her eyes on Daxx, a polite smile displayed across her even features. "I believe a two year discount would be a suitable compromise. 50% flat for all services."
Vik finished his beer as well, tossing it lazily onto the table where it wobbled noisily before coming to a rest. "Also, as a show of your good faith I want free drinks here, for life."
For the first time that evening, Nadene couldn't keep her shock contained. "What!?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry Nadene." Vik turned a charming smile on Daxx. "Nadene wants free drinks too."
Jason had underestimated Viks ability to make a coherent sounding argument. He dealt with the drink item first. "Nadene always has free drinks whenever she desires." He flashed her a half serious cocky grin. "As for you Vik, I believe I might go bankrupt if you were to stop paying for your drinks. You already opened a tab for Riptide however in terms of our... partnership I would be willing to add a discount to it of say 50%. Which is more than generous and something that should not be flashed around nor will you be buying drinks for people all the time." He focused more on Vik this time. "Now, it is obvious you don't play the negotiating game very often and what I will say is be glad that I have good standing relations with Riptide already and find your services to be useful and worth their price or you may have found yourself out of a job." He turned to Nadene. "I recommend holding him out of negotiations with anybody that you have not already formed relations with, as they might not be as charitable as I am."
He sipped on his beer. "As it so happens the artifact itself interests me and all that it offers. If Vik is so keen on ignoring the negotiation part. I'll give you the information however I want to see the artifact and if you get someone to decipher it yourself I want some information on what it is." He shrugged. "50% flat, one year. Recurring contract with me."
For a second, it looked like Vik was about to argue his drink tab, but when Nadene laid a cautioning hand on his shoulder he finally got the hint and shut up. "Very sound advice, Jason," the Asari replied with a dismissive smile. "I think from now on Vik will stay where his talents can be better utilized...in the pilot's chair." Her grip tightened and twisted on those last words, causing Vik to grimace uncomfortably.
She didn't have to think long about Daxx's offer, though she still played the game like she was expected to, sipping daintily at her beer as if she was deep in thought. Finally, her eyes caught Daxx's. "Yes, I believe your request can be arranged for. Once we have the artifact, you can look at it as much as you like, as long as we still can sell it after you're done. I assure you, your "investigations" will be strictly confidential." Nadene figured this might be one of Daxx's conditions. The artifact was a huge potential source of valuable information, and the man was an information broker after all. If he wanted to take a crack at deciphering it, he was free to, as long as he didn't get in the way of her profit. "The discount amount seems reasonable as well. I will inform my people of our arrangement, and it will be effective immediately. You know that as a strictly illegal organization, we don't have much use for legally binding contracts, but if you'd prefer that I sign something, only say the word."
She leaned forward now. "But as long as that's all taken care of...I'd like to know what I just paid for."
"That was something I never saw the point off Nadene, you could always set up a front like I do." He shrugged. "Whatever works for you I guess." He snapped his fingers and another beer was procured for Vik, a different girl this time. "I guess it is the time for me to give you the information, as your partner has robbed me of the negotiating which by far is the best part of these discussions." He shrugged as he sipped on his own beer and placed the empty bottle back on the table. He should of asked for another one when they brought Vik another beer. However this was the good stuff and he could always get more after the meeting. It wasn't as if he was paying for his own stuff separately. He picked up his tablet, preferring it over an Omni-tool and sent the patrol schedules before he spoke.
"It's on·Parnassus in the Rosetta Nebula. I've sent the patrol routes to your ship so you can find your own way through. The Alliance will change its patrol schedule in one day and the owner of the artifact will move it to the mass relay in 3 days. Your window is short but if information changes I'll be willing to renegotiate terms and keep you up to date with major changes as and when I hear off them. Is that all we have for business now?"
Nadene's smile was bright as she set down her beer and got to her feet. "Yes, I believe that concludes our business. You can forward me the specifics, and I'll be in contact when the artifact is secured. It's been a pleasure, as always, Jason." She turned and practically pushed Vik out of the room in front of her.
Once outside, the Turian turned to her with that same stupid smile. "Well? Not bad, eh?"
Nadene could have slapped him. "'Not bad?' You were this close to royally fucking us up!"
"But I didn't fuck us up, did I? Admit it, I helped!"
Nadene sighed, rubbing at the bridge of her nose. Half of her wanted to cuss him out, the other half was admittedly a bit endeared to his youthful overconfidence. She settled for something a bit in the middle. "You are the biggest fucking idiot I have ever met," she said, with a small smile. "Now, we need to get in contact with Tonner, he's been waiting patiently for us to get him directions. You should probably go too, we're going to need a good pilot to-"
"Hey!" A shout interrupted her as Daron jogged up beside them, the multi-layered images on his suit shining beneath the casino floor lights. "You ready to go yet, Vik?"
"What's the rush?" Vik asked, frowning. "I was hoping to hit up some tables before we jumped ship..."
"Well, I may have started a fight with another patron. And that patron may have been a Krogan. Or three Krogans, to be exact."
A shout echoed from the other end of the room. "There he is! Get that little suit rat!" The crowd was parting as a trio of Krogans rushed their way. Daron watched them come, apparently unfazed.
"So, yeah," he said, nonchalantly. "I'm thinking maybe we should leave. I'm out of money anyway." He grabbed Vik by the arm and began dragging him away.
Vik offered Nadene a sheepish smile as he was pulled into the crowd. "Sorry to cut our date short, but it looks like I have to run. Like, probably literally. Call me later, I'll make sure Andrea keeps an eye on my inbox."
Nadene glanced down at her omnitool, then back up at her partner. "Hold on! I just got a message from my credit company. Something about a maxed out credit chit? You know anything about that?"
"Nope! Not a clue! Later!"
The two of them disappeared into the crowd, leaving Nadene standing along. Fucker. When the three Krogan passed her, she pointed a lazy thumb over her shoulder. "They went that way. Be gentle, please."
What a fun night.