The four Vault Hunters and Baskerville were seated in the other room of Crimson Raiders HQ, eating lunch calmly. The only one not eating was Saprus, who still refused to take off his mask.
"Fucking asshole" spat the wereskag ripping into a leg of some creature that may have been dead a few minutes ago. "I hate that Dahl cum-sucker."
"Same" stated Dion gnawing on a plate of beef ribs. "Guy carried himself like he was humble, but I can read people pretty well. He's just like the rest of them: Total jerks."
"I think you're all just prejudicing him" replied Taika.
"Naw, we're using his past actions to judge his character" countered the Titan. "Last time I checked, that's how you're supposed to judge people. By their actions."
"They do speak louder than words" agreed Baskerville.
Saprus grunted. "I'm not sure. We only know what he did years ago. He could be changed."
"Exactly!" said the huntress glad someone was in a good mood.
"But he could be exactly the same. You never know."
Taika sighed. "Ugh, you boys suck."
She glanced at Baldemar. "You've been awfully quiet for once. What's got your mind in a bundle?"
The inventor sighed, eating what looked like a red bean bun. "I don't know what to think. This guy…I used to work for him."
He pointed to his armor, which were indeed scraps of Dahl machinery. "I never directly knew the guy though. I only got my orders from him. I was a mercenary in his usage. I quickly figured out that Dahl has…a unique way of looking at things. They seek whatever can benefit them the most at any given time. Wherever that be diplomacy or nuclear warfare, they are willing to do anything, as long as it gives the maximum gains. They one thing they don't do is make bullshit alliances, since they don't like to make enemies. That would affect business practices you see. So I think we can trust them in this alliance, I'm just not sure I want them to be a part of it."
Taika smashed her head into the table. "Is it only the girls who see the good things in people?"
"Oh, I see the good in him" said Baskerville. "He's an asshole, but he's definitely courageous if he wasn't intimidated by me. Most people never even knew my project existed, and werewolves are urban legends to begin with. A wereskag is even worse."
"If he betrays or leaves us again, I'll gladly take his head for you" offered Dion.
"I'd rather have the torso. I prefer the intestines over the brain."
The wereskag grinned. "True story."
Taika stared at him. "You're a cannibal?"
"Technically, I'm half animal. Being labeled a cannibal doesn't really apply to me. Besides, what else am I supposed to do? Bury the guy, on a crapsack world in the middle of nowhere? No. I have a better idea."
He exposed one of his arms, revealing that there were names scrawled all around it.
"I put the name of each man I kill on my arms and back" said the wereskag rubbing the tattoos. "It's only right. Maybe this will they'll be remembered for a little longer than a tombstone would."
Saprus nodded out of respect. "I can't mark my body to do so, but I write a page for each man I kill."
"Really?" asked Taika curiously.
"Yes. I just say I have to go to the bathroom when I leave to do it."
"That explains a lot" murmured Baldemar. "I was trying to figure out if you were a girl or a guy and the fact that you don't even show your face doesn't help. I was following you, no creepiness intended."
"I'm a man" said Saprus bluntly. "I thought my voice would've made it obvious."
"You'd be surprised" commented Dion. "I've known some pretty high-pitched guys and low-pitched chicks."
Just then Lilith walked in, a blank look on her face.
"How'd the negotiations go?" inquired Taika.
"Ya, did the asshole make any comments to ya sweetheart?" asked Baskerville leaning back and looking at her upside-down. "Man, why can't you be wearing a skirt right now?"
She scowled at him, but still had a small smile along with it. "He is actually quite reasonable. It's true. All he wants is to be able to talk to us at any moment in case something goes on. And he requested that he never talks to Mister Torgue. Like ever."
"Man, I know that feel" murmured the wereskag. "His yelling gives me a migraine. Every time."
Stanton Dahl walked into the room, his hands deep in his pockets. He was no longer bound, but he carried himself like a nervous guest at a party. "I am going back to my ship now. I hope to see you all again, hopefully after I've convinced a few others to work with us."
"You're going to do that?" inquired Dion glancing at him.
"Of course. I am a skilled diplomat. I managed to convince you all to accept me after all."
Baskerville grinned slyly. "You haven't gotten me yet, but whatever. Good luck asshole."
"Same to you. Pup."
The wereskag laughed. "You're fun. I wish to mutilate you."
Lilith cleared her throat. "Girls, girls, you're both very pretty. Stop arguing about it."
"Course sweetheart" said Baskerville eating the leg of meat. "Just a little antsy. I can't go anywhere cause my condition and it pisses me off."
"Well that's too bad" said the Siren dismissively. "You are getting old you know."
"So are you" spat the wereskag. "The only difference is, you got better with age and I didn't."
"So I'm like a fine wine?" inquired Lilith smiling slyly.
"Damn straight" replied Baskerville grinning dangerously. "And man I'd like to have a taste one night."
"Oh God I want to throw up" muttered Dion. "You two are like school children."
"Ya ever seen a kid rip open someone's ribcage?" asked the wereskag licking his lips of blood.
"Do midgets count?"
The Siren cleared her throat. "Listen, I need you four Vault Hunters to help us with something."
"Does it involve killing?" inquired the Titan.
"That's Plan A."
"Perfect. Just give me the word."
Lilith flicked a strand of hair from her face. "Since we might have to engage in warfare with the corporations, we're going to need a ship to use in space. And not our little stealth fighters either. We need a mother-ship in case full-on space warfare breaks out."
"So you want us to get the materials necessary to build one?" proposed Saprus.
"Nothing so complex. We just need you to steal a ship."
Baldemar laughed. "Because that's so simple. In case you haven't noticed, there aren't that many combat-worthy vessels on Pandora."
"Who ever said that the ship was ON Pandora?" asked Lilith grinning. Unlike her usual persona, she actually looked quite scary. "We aren't taking a piece of scrap metal on the planet to use. We're getting the top class mother-ship available to us."
"You know, I would offer you one" said Stanton. "But I can't spare even one. I do know someone who can though."
He grinned, revealing that his canines were golden. "You ever heard of the Diffusion Symbiosis?"
No comments, but please review. I would appreciate that so I can get some ideas. Hell, if you toss me some ideas for later parts of the story, I'd love that. I am kinda a one-man band at the moment. Don't worry though. I can do this thing.