Past Reflections 6/?

Disclaimer: Andromeda, Harper, Tyr etc. don't belong to me, unfortunately. No infringement intended.
Authors Notes: Rated R due to possible slash content and violence. I have been having some formatting problems, so if this comes out crazy bear with me.

A Business Arrangement
They were led into what Harper could only assume were Malick's private apartments considering the simply furnished rooms, Malick never was one for over indulgence most likely a trait picked up on Earth. After dismissing two of the three guards, Malick gestured for Harper and Tyr to make themselves comfortable, making no move to introduce the man remaining.

"I wish I had the time to catch up, but right now I am in need of information. Seems you would be the one to talk to." Harper explained, no sign of his earlier jubilation in his voice.

"A business arrangement, then?" Malick questioned.

"Yes."

"I would need 5,000 throngs up front and another 2,000 after you make use of any information gathered on your behalf." Malick said in an equally serious voice.

Not having that kind of money, Harper looked toward Tyr to see if he could cover that amount. The Nietzschean made no comment just handed over a credit chip. After the money was withdrawn, Tyr sat back ant let Harper explain the situation.

"We need to know where the Talasian Guard dropped off the crew of the Andromeda Ascendant, with whom, and where they are now. Also, blueprints of the building they are being held in." Harper explained, watching as Malick eyes got wider as he continued on. "Any weaknesses of their defenses and if necessary a cover story to get us inside."

"You don't ask for much, do you Shay? The price just doubled, due to the amount of Intel that you need. I want another 5,000 now incase things go wrong." Malick explained while trying to figure out what happened to the kid he knew. Shay was no where in attendance in the man named Harper, and that deeply upset him because Shay used to be his best friend once upon a time. Of course none of the internal conflict ever showed on Malick's face. Business was business after all.

After raising a questioning eyebrow his way, Tyr once again gave his credit chip to Malick grumbling threateningly as he did so.

"It will take me a day or so before I can get this amount of information. Feel free to stay in the guest suite while you two wait. Free of charge of course." Malick offered, his eyes twinkling humorously now that the serious discussion was over for at least the day. He then got up to talk to Jace, thereby giving the two room to discuss his offer without being intrusive.

Harper looked toward Tyr to gage his reaction to the offer. Tyr however, was glaring at him looking rather annoyed.

"Just because you knew this man a few years ago on Earth does not mean you can trust him now." Tyr said in an undertone, keeping his voice low enough so that Malick and the guard he was speaking to could not overhear. "The building could be unsecured for all we know, he is a mercenary after all."

"Like you." Harper reminded him.

"That is exactly my point."

"Meaning you'd sell us out if it was to your benefit." Harper sneered disdainfully.

"This surely isn't news to you, Little Man." Tyr commented, while silently wondering when the opinion of the annoying kludge began to matter to him.

"Of course not. That's why you just lost 10,000 throngs in a selfless attempt to find the others. Harper snickered thoroughly amused. Before Tyr could come up with a properly cutting retort Malick interrupted the fledgling argument.

"So what's it to be?"

"We'd be thrilled to stay." Harper exclaimed, excited at the prospect of talking to his old friend again. As the four walked out the door Harper put a restraining hand on Malick's shoulder as Tyr and the guard walked ahead, although Tyr was still aware of Harper's position and listening for danger. "It's good to see you again and the only reason we agreed to stay here is because I trust you. If you betray that trust, I promise you there will be no place for you to hide." Harper explained in a calm voice, which left Malick no doubt as to Harper's sincerity. A shiver ran down his spine remembering how dangerous Shay could be to his enemies when his family was threatened.

"I wouldn't expect anything less." Malick answered, still surprised that a Nietzschean would be included in Shay's family. On Earth the only people Shay would risk his neck for was his family, otherwise he would keep out of everyone's way, trying to draw the least attention to himself.

"Good, now let's forget about business for now. Tell me what you have been doing since Earth?" Harper asked quickly relaxing back into his perpetually bouncy persona.