Captain Diomika Tsing was many things.
Stupid she was not.
She did not lend herself to be ignorant, either. One didn't get to be a freelance captain by being ignorant and stupid. She was a good soldier, from a minor House of the Orous military, not really Entitled, just a step below that. She was a female captain, third-generation Tsing to dare to work with cybernetic enhancements. She had made it her life's mission to obtain her own ship, her own loyal, uncontracted crew.
And she hadn't done that by not paying attention.
Especially to dangerous things.
The young girl in front of her was stupefyingly dangerous.
Queen Jupiter of House Abrasax looked down at the sheeve that Diomika had just given her, carefully, assessing. It was incredibly nerve-wracking, despite the young queen's age. She had already managed to be both incredibly generous with the framework of their limited contract, kind to an almost fault to all of her crew, regardless of their status as human, cyber-enhanced, or splice.
But frightfully ruthless against those who opposed her.
Blowing up the Refinery had been eye-opening. Declaring war on her own House, and any other Harvesting House had been daring, and unthinkable. Because even though Dimokia had been briefed, aware, and knew it would happen… It had freaked her out to see it carried out. The knowledge about the fact that she was aligned to such a Queen, even tangentially, put a damn target on her back, and that of her crew, and anyone they knew.
But that wasn't what led to this decision. As far as Dimokia and her crew had been concerned, it was what had been done to the Refinery Manager that had sealed their fate.
"Your crew wishes to become permanently in contract with me?"'
"Yes, Majesty."
Different, light eyes looked up from the contract sheeve.
"I can rewrite all of your identities. Disconnect you from this contract completely. No one will know of our time together," her voice was earnest, and Diomika could see her honesty in those beautiful eyes.
Diomika smiled.
"You're Majesty, I will not lie to you. Your goals are lofty at best, insane at worst. But admirable. On the record? I believe you and of yours will die in pursuit of them. Off the record? It would be an honor to attempt it nonetheless."
"... You would be working with me, not serving me," said the young girl, face lifting into a wry smile.
Diomika's smile went wider.
"Either way, it will be an honor, your Majesty."
"Call me Jupe, Captain. Welcome to the team."