Savora exhaled as she followed the two rogue trader brothers, they themselves being led by a servant who acted as their guide. She spend the better part of last night finding chemicals and hoping that these primitive humans had the correct ingredients for the formula. Synthesizing Eldar hair gel wasnt a hair task of in itself and even after making an inferior variant she was sure that these pesky primitive women that call themselves noble would appreciate it.
"Ahh Lord Adrian." Lord Edward said, his bionic eye scanning his guests. "I was told you would come for a... business opportunity." He said. Adrian nodded.
"I have let my voidsmen walk the streets of the upper hive, they deserve it after months of arduous perils in the warp." he said. "But as for myself I do believe lady Savora has... formulated a formula for the cosmetic products which seemed to have caught the eyes of your fair hive's noblewomen." Adrian spoke and Savora bowed slightly showing the parchment with the formula. Lord Edward smiled as his wife boiled with jealousy. The house of this noble was large and flamboyant and Savora couldnt help but feel pleased at the fact that this noble thought highly of himself as he lead them into his domain.
"Of course, your lordship would like to test the formula yourself?" Savora offered and with a smile Edward responded.
"No me personally... Men in our hive generally dont wear makeup, although I am sure that, traveling across the Emperor's domain, you have come across a couple of worlds where they do." He said and Savora smiled politely. "Jenny!" he called out and a servant girl came. "Do be kind and test our guest's product." he said and the meek girl bowed. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes Savora intervened.
"Please, allow me." She said and the servant girl was shocked, yet the nobles didnt stop her. Edward's wife smiled thinking less of her for helping a servant girl, but frowned upon seeing that her husband didnt mind. Taking a sample of her product she applied it to the girl's hair and with her Eldar elegance, she proceeded to make a master piece of it.
"Amazing... simply amazing." Lord Edward said as he started towards his servant. "I do believe we can make an arrangement. Does this product of yours have a brand or a name?" he asked.
"We believe your Lordship would the best suited for... applying it and presenting it to the local nobles." Savora said. "So the marketing and naming is all yours, Lord Edward." she spoke politely and Edward couldnt take the smirk off of his face.
"I see... and the price?" He asked openly. Adrian opened his mouth but Savora cut in, greatly annoying the rogue trader.
"To our understanding you can either buy the formula directly off of us or give us a royalty for our patent." she said and Lord Edward listened in, his business sense tingling. "However, Lord Adrian has a better offer." she said and nodded to Adrian.
"Indeed." Adrian said, glad that he got his word. "If your Lordship would be so kind as to introduce us to Lord Rydan so we can have your Lordship's word behind us... and possibly some help acquiring the said ships, we will be willing to part with the formula." He said and Edward laughed.
"of course! of course!" He said, clapping his arms happily. "Ill take you there right away!" He said and Savora smiled, purring with happiness as she wasted less time with these buffoons!
Lord Rydan's house was... old... that was certain, and while there wasnt a lack of wealth or splendor, the house spoke volumes of how there was a lack of people. Not servants, but people, as it was clear that one man directed it and it lacked the relegation of duties which most hierarchies have. A servant girl opened the door and immediately bowed when she saw who the guests were, greeting them and leading them in.
"Lord Rydan... guests have arrived." she said, bowed and left. Unfortunately the old lord didnt hear her meek words due to his age and it was only after he turned around and saw who his guests were did his old wrinkled eyes widen.
"Rydan, you old dog!" Edward said as he grabbed the old noble by his arms, the man was still seated, his age seemingly demanding so. Still... Savora could imagine he was handsome once, years ago.
"Edward!" he spoke. "What guests do you bring me?" he asked. Edward moved aside so the old man could see the trio. "May I present to you the Lords Adrian and Bering, both rogue traders of the house of Gregorik, accompanying them is Lady Savora, their advisor." he said and the three bowed as the old Lord's eyes widened even further.
"Forgive me!" he said as he pushed himself out of his chair. He stood up as he leaned in and took Savora's hand. "I have heard that there is a lady of great beauty and even a sharper wit that has come to us from the Emperor's stars..." he said, his voice soothing and old. "But if I had know that the words lied as they failed to present her grandeur properly, I would have dragged my old bones to the ball myself, even if I would perish there!" he said, leaning across to meet her hand.
"You flatter me, Lord Rydan... You do me a disfavor as I do not know how to return the compliment." she said, feinting surprise.
"No need, my child." he said, looking her into her eyes as his seemed to gleam. "Your mere presence is a gift and joy which I have not felt in decades." he told her. "In what way can I aid you and your companions?" he asked. Savora looked at Adrian this time and he nodded towards her.
"My Lord Adrian has heard that you are in possession of three void ships which you intend to sell. Lord Edward was kind enough to inform us about the details as we have an interest in acquiring them." She said and the old man smiled, looking at Edward.
"You bring me joy Edward! I was not wrong when I told your father that you will be a man worthy of his succession!" he said and Edward nodded acknowledging the compliment as Rydan struggled to get back into his seat. He looked up at the three, Adrian specifically. "Lord Adrian, while Im sure that Edward has filled you with the details, allow me to elaborate." he said, clicking on the cogitator as the screen behind his desk came to life. "I do not want these ships... for I have been to the void only three times and all of them were on our void station... Im an old man... my wife died at childbirth and my only daughter was gifted by the Emperor so the black ships took her. To this day I imagine her like lady Savora." he said and Savora fed on his positive emotions.
"You flatter me too much, my lord." she said bowing as the man continued.
"I have been given the ships as the planetary governor didnt want to take sides in the dispute between the two branches of his family. In any case the rogue trader who commanded them has disappeared long ago and is now legally dead, the information was transmitted across the sector and you will be given a note of his death certificate as well that he didnt have any known heirs, paper work paper work." The old man panted as he sweat, his age denying him the ability to speak so quickly. He took a moment to regain his breath as the screen behind him displayed 3D images of the ships. The look of pure greed and desire Savora saw on Adrian's face was priceless... she enjoyed it in part because she was like that as well
"The first ship is a Claymore class corvette." The man said as he scoured his screen. "The cutlass of destiny, it is called! It was the flagship of the rogue trader." he added before moving to the next ship. "Second is a Meritech Shrike class raider... no doubt acquired by less than... clear means. Its name- the wasp of the warp" he said as he continued. "The last ship is perhaps the real prize" he added as the large ship zoomed in, nearly causing Adrian to shiver with greed, although only Savora's heightened senses could see that.
"A Goliath-class Factory ship!" Adrian declared looking at the monstrosity. "Whoever this rogue trader was, he either had a very lucky break or had friends in very high places!" He declared. Rydan smirked.
"The devourer of stars..." He said. "all of these ships come with all the components on them AND the skilled crew they posses, yours to haggled." Rydan said.
"And the price?" Adrian asked openly.
"Well..." Rydan began calculating. "We are a system which has no shortage or specific need for these vessels, but the parts and the crew are already there... lets set the price by megatons instead of the size... about 1 250 000 thrones per megaton would be fair but for you 1 000 000 thrones per megaton." Savora's eyes widened. From her research ships of the mon'keigh were near impossibly expensive.
"hmm..." Adrin rubbed his chin. "so thats around 26 milion thrones..." he was concerned. "Lets make a deal..." he began. "Lord Edward will give 100 000 thrones in advance, as I have around ten million thrones on my person at the moment and when he does so, you will sign a contract about not selling the ships to anyone else for a standard year. We will either buy those ships until that time expires and if we dont you keep the 100 000 thrones and then can sell the ships to someone else." he explained a bit hastily and Rydan nodded, seemingly glad to at least have an offer.
"And in return I get the formula for free with no royalties!" Edward said and Adrian nodded as they explained the situation to Rydan. She handed the parchment with the formula to Adrian.
"You are lucky lord Adrian as I have no other offers and if that Goliath ship explodes there is a risk for high damage to the planet." Rydan whispered as Savora and Bering excused themselves and let the three do all the paperwork, Bering immediately leading Savora towards the landing pads of the shuttles so they can proceed with their plan.
"How come your ships are so cheap? I mean with all that I have read I figured they would be insanely expensive!" she declared and Bering laughed.
"Cheap!?" he asked as they walked, ignoring all the rabble who looked towards Savora due to her... appearance. "First of all, there is a stark difference between thrones and local currency. Second Thrones and ships are not worth the same in any two sectors. Third ships arent few, they are many but there are only a few who would sell them." He explained and she soaked the information up. "Lastly, lets say you are a lesser noble and if you are lucky you will get between 2000 and 2500 thrones per month for your business. Now lets assume you earn 2000 when you deduct the expenses and that is a really rich lesser noble we are talking about-" he explained and she cut him off.
"It would take you around ten years of scraping up and saving to afford a small escort vessel if you are lucky to find a person to sell it to you." She concluded.
"That is correct!" Bering said as they approached the shuttle craft which would take them to his ship. "And not only that but you will also have most likely to pay for all the components, upkeep and the wages of all those on board." he added and Savora rose her eyebrow.
"Oh so you pay your voidsmen?" she asked.
"Its complicated..." Bering said. "Yes and no. No as in we dont give them pure currency but yes in the sense that they get free food, medical attention and that they generally get a cut from any contract or profit we do." he explained as they entered the shuttle and took off, the craft rocking a bit as the pilots began their rapid escape from orbit.
"Ill admit Bering... I didnt expect it would be so... interesting." she said, refusing to use the word fun. "To learn about mon'keigh culture, but when you are alone, far away from your kin and you have no choice but to rely on mercy of humans... I could say you are interesting." Savora said and he nodded at her.
"Well what do you want Savora?" he asked her, being more casual and relaxed than his brother.
"Because you asked so nicely and have generally been... as nice to me as you could, given your inferiority, I wont answer that question with "the death of your family and friends in a most horrific was possible."" she told him and he laughed... she didnt and he was shocked a bit at her seriousness. "But what I do want is to commandeer a ship, Eldar ship preferably, get an Eldar crew, return to Commoragh and blast the entire spire of my rivals to pieces as a dramatic entry." she told him.
"What? You wont torment them first?" He teased her and she frowned. Did this fool really doubt she could pull his guts out while he was still alive.
"Bering... why are you such a fool? You know Im a killer, why do you insist on treating me like a human like your brother? I mean, why cant you hate me like I hate you? It would be better for everyone to hate each other. Your crew-" she wanted to say 'hates me already' to mock him by saying they are smarter than him, but he interrupted her.
"Is already starting to like you." he concluded. "I know my brother uses his warrant to its... full potential, by hiring xenos and mutants but... In a very strange and twisted way, his ambition and self advancement is for the betterment of the imperium." He explained. "So what if you tortured humans in the past." He said. Oh boy how lightly he was taking this, if she could share but a fraction of her past experiences with him he would- "My brother could have killed you, but, if you dont torture people anymore and actually help the Imperium, why do so? Wouldnt it be more sane an profitable to let you live?" he asked. Savora gave him a face of unbelief.
"Your mother died when she was young, didnt she?" she asked, leaning her head on her hand. Bering nearly gasped, letting his salesmen facade fall apart.
"How did you know?" he asked as they neared his ship, the pilots luckily being separated from them and unaware of this little conversation.
"Simple... your brother has that war hero persona, giving away that he was at least partially the head of the family and given how he has you, a younger brother and a younger sister, he was used to having to look after you. Your father on the other hand, I can conclude, most likely loved you but was too busy with his rouge trade to focus much on you." she casually said, her hand still holding her head.
"Yes... you have very good deduction, but what has that to do-?" he asked but she cut him off.
"I will not be a mother for you Bering... neither for you nor Adrian. The mere fact that his core officers and companions are mostly women speak volumes of the need for womanly love. Then there is the fact that he copulates with Annabel, a very strong woman herself and has... kinky tendencies." She said and he blushed at her knowledge. He wanted to ask her how did she know but she didnt let him have that initiative. "Now that you both have me, a strong, dominant and to your eyes evil woman, you both just want me to hold you and nurture you, dont you?" she asked and the blushing Bering tried to keep his gaze on her disinterested form but failed, looking down at the metal floor. "There is nothing to be ashamed of when speaking about this to me... but there is great shame in letting other humans know this secret of yours... My advice to you is that you be a good fatherly figure to your children, both you and Adrian, so at least your sons dont end up as complete and hopeless subs as you two." She said as the pilots contacted them over the vox.
"Approaching your ship, my lord." they said and there was a silence between the two as Savora examined the havoc class merchant raider ship in orbit. It was pretty, beautiful even as it pink and purple painted hull was decorated with golden accessories. There was the main hull which covered most of the interior of the ship with armor plating, only allowing the dorsal batteries to stick out as well as one or two keel batteries. There were turrets here and there and there was a lance bellow the prow of the ship, the prow itself containing a dual, twin linked tubes on each side. It truly was a merchant and a raider. They landed in the hangar bay, considerably smaller than the Pride of Terra's as the massive doors shut behind them.
"Welcome to the Dauntless reaver, Lady Savora." Bering said as they stepped off to the platform. Immediately two humans came to them.
"My Lord, trade has yielded us about 12 000 thrones, we have..." the first began but Bering waved them off.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, we have greater riches to get!" he declared as he walked with Savora to the bridge. Once they were alone and far away from the eyes of the prying crew, not that the corridors were ever completely empty, he spoke to her. "Have you ever at least tried being nice?" he asked.
"Didnt the ecclesiarchy teach you not to speak onto the alien? We are by our nature unredeemable you know?" she told him, mildly annoyed yet interested that he had such an interest in her. Was this fool in love with her? She smirked at the thought.
"Im serious Savora, Adrian said that to his knowledge you need strong emotion to survive, that can mean other emotions besides torture." Bering told her. She stopped and exhaled, closing her eyes to calm.
"Look... Bering... Ill be honest here with you. I do feel the thirst constantly. I do know that there are those wretches on the craftworlds that-" she began but saw that he wont understand. "that there are Eldar who deny themselves everything that is Eldar in order to survive... I wont do that, I wont wither and become anything less than I am. I am constantly leached and if I dont have strong emotions I will grow old and eventually die. Hell, even with all the drama with you mon'keigh I feel 20 years older than I was when I left Commoragh." she told him before exhaling. "but no... I have not tried sustaining myself on purely positive emotions." she admitted and he smirked as if he was the victor.
"Well... try then." he told her and she eyed him wildly.
"Oh gods your irredeemable!" she told him. "Why do you care about me so much? Is your need for a woman so strong? Why dont you go fuck a voidswoman of yours or buy a prostitute!" She spoke angrily. He laughed.
"None of them have such a foul, poisonous yet sweet tongue as you do." He played the game. She eyed him and had a look which asked 'seriously?'.
"ugh..." she exhaled. "You do realize that I hate you, right?" she asked. "so why not return the feeling?"
"Listen... Savora." he stepped up to her. "I realize that I am a human... and that to your mind I will and all my race will always be clumsy and crude-" he began but she intervened adding quite a few tags.
"ugly, smelly, incompetent, stupid, slow, dim witted, weak, ignorant, closed minded and entirely hopeless like a cattle in a imaginary box which it cannot leave." she said and he smirked.
"But that is no reason to hate us." he said.
"Yes it is!" she protested. "I and every sane creature SHOULD hate weakness! The weak should perish so the strong could survive!" she declared. For a moment he eyed her.
"Yet my race rules the stars and your empire has fallen..." he responded and she opened her mouth, but found no ammunition to fire back at this.
"touché..." she simply said.
"I know your empire was grander and all that but..." he said raising a hand. "I am honestly fascinated by your kind... and unlike our dogma I want to study you, to learn from you... to know what you teach. For while I know we can never entirely understand each other I believe we can co exist and grow stronger from each other." he told her honestly and without asking for her permission, he took her hand in his own.
"Naive fool..." she simply responded. He smirked and rose his eyebrow at her. "What makes you think that I WONT betray you on the first step of the road?" she asked, completely not caring about the fact that she was in no position to do so at the moment.
"Well... will you at least try to feed off of positive things... at least for me? As a favor?" he asked and held her hands up in his own. She looked at him and then exhaled.
"Fine..." she said and he smiled before she pointed at him. "But taking a favor from me is going to cost ya!" she declared and he laughed ignorantly as her Eldar mind began doing the calculations.