Chapter 3 – A Volus's Loyalty
It took about two more days to finish the Humane Trap's repairs. When Zack saw the ship again, he nearly shed a tear of joy. A shuttle with all four thruster arms! Progress! Though one was not the same color as the other three, you couldn't have everything.
The funding sent to him by TIUO was substantial, along with a clear message that the funding was for his ship. It also provided no guidance whatsoever in how to acquire said ship. The Ryders, being the spoiled brats that they were, had the Tempest. The Tempest was fast and sophisticated, but unarmed. The Nexus was almost out of small to mid-sized ships, and the only large ships they had were the Arks.
Zack decided to meet with Sergeant Sleeze and Killal Nao aboard the Humane Trap.
"Look boys, it's time we get ourselves a good ship," Zack said.
"It's about time! But where are we going to get it if not from the Nexus?" Sleeze replied. "The Nexus doesn't have any good ships!"
"There's an Angaran used ship salesman on Eladeen," Ryder said. "We could get a ship there."
"Oh no. Do you ever fucking learn?" asked Killal. "You want to cart us around in one of those overpriced, busted up, rusted out coffins?"
"Uh, now that you put it like that- "Zack started, but Killal cut him off.
"Those ships are trash. Utter trash. I would not wish one of those pieces of garbage on my worst enemy," Killal ranted. "Assuming they get off the ground, they will crack in half, or the life support will fail, or something."
"I figured we could patch it up," Zack responded.
"Wolfe, what are you talking about?" Sleeze said. "A ship breakdown and overhaul can take months. And we don't know Angaran ships! We don't know their designs, or tech, or anything really."
"I'm sure the Angarans will be happy to help a Pathfinder."
"No, they won't," Killal and Sleeze said in unison. Sleeze continued, "They'll either rip us off or charge us through the nose or steal the ship."
"How else can we get ships?"
"Steal a Kett ship," said Killal.
"Do you know how to fly a Kett ship?" asked Zack.
"No," Killal said, in a disappointed tone.
"Off to the used ship salesman we go!" Zack said.
It wasn't long before they reached Eladeen. Killal was right about one thing: the ships were horrid. Some had been pierced by heavy fire. Some had been picked clean for parts. Some had bloodstains around the hatches. Some looked more like failed attempts at modern art rather than a ship that would keep a crew alive in space. At least the salesman was extremely friendly, enthusiastic, and definitely would not lie about anything.
Zack soon figured out a system: if he requested a test drive and the salesman looked terrified, it was probably a bad idea to buy the ship. After several hours of small talk and searching, he saw a single ship in the back corner of the lot: a small Angaran freighter. The hold was large enough to support both a ground vehicle and a shuttle. An area which could be divided into crew quarters. And no obvious signs of the previous crew being horribly killed aboard the ship. After some discussion with the squad, the ship was purchased.
The crew got on board their new ship. The life support functionality mostly worked. Mostly. However, the warp drive failed, and it was stuck in orbit near Eladeen. Killal looked at Zack.
"Don't you dare say it- "Zack started.
"I told you these used ships were garbage! We have a ship we can't take anywhere!" Killal, said, half enraged and half gloating. "What are we supposed to do with this piece of crap?"
"We might still be ok," Sleeze said.
"How are we ok, you washed up fuck?! A ship that can't jump is not a ship- "Killal ranted.
"Calm yourself Killal! Sleeze, what did you have in mind?"
"There are tugs who can pull this ship to a refit operation. I know of some on the Nexus."
"We best not go to the Nexus right now. The other Pathfinders are too suspicious," Zack answered. Nothing like avoiding your colleagues.
"There are some operations on Eos too," Sleeze suggested.
"That'll work," said Zack, as if he had options.
Eos was the first colony settled by the Nexus, and arguably the safest place in the Heleus cluster other than the Nexus itself. The other Pathfinders had little reason to be on Eos. Just the place to do a major refit operation with minimal attention from Pathfinder Hall.
The head mechanic at the refit on Eos was friendly, no nonsense, and professional. Maybe it was the fact that Zack was a pathfinder and was heavily armed, but regardless, he was very up front.
"We typically don't get Angaran ships here, but it won't be a problem," the head mechanic said. Full disclosure. Excellent.
"Excellent!" Zack said.
"What do you actually want in the end model of the ship?" the mechanic asked.
"Well, we need a bay that can hold a ground vehicle as well as a standard Kodiak shuttle. We'd prefer standard Milky Way controls and dials in the cockpit. Obviously, we need the Warp drive fixed. Armory, CIC, Galley, all the other usuals for a small military ship. Quarters for crew, 6 high ranking individuals, and a captain's cabin," Zack explained.
"That will take about 70% of this ship's frame capacity. What else would you like?" the mechanic said.
This was not a question Zack was prepared for. Extra space? You could do a lot of cool stuff with extra space. He glanced at Killal, and then he glanced at Sleeze.
"Uh... well, I would like an extra large captain's cabin. You know, something that would really impress hot aliens- "Zack started.
"Fuck you, Pathfinder! Guns. The ship needs big guns. Something that will wreck a Kett ship," said Killal.
"Why not stealth tech? Stealth tech could save our behinds if you are outgunned or outnumbered," Sleeze said.
The three began bickering. The mechanic looked at them with a grin.
"You three figure out what you want, we'll start breaking down what we need to."
The ship could not support stealth tech as it was technically built as a civilian freighter. But it could support decent sized cannons. Eventually, the crew decided to go with the cannons. Zack was not happy about not getting the larger cabin, but was about to face a mutiny if he chose that over weapons. Even so, he grinned. He would finally have a ship.
All there was left to do was secure the loyalty of Killal Nao. Also, scan all those planets he was supposed to do in the first place.
Killal and Zack sat in the bar on Eos. The ship's refit would take approximately two months, and there was no way they could simply wait for it to be finished. Still, this was a time celebrate. It was also a time to argue incessantly over the name of the ship. Sleeze preferred more traditional, military sounding names, like Courage or Admiral Hackett. Killal wanted more classless and aggressive names, such as Kett Buster or Kett's Terror.
Zack didn't mind the arguing, at least not right now. It presented him an opportunity: maybe he could figure out how to win the loyalty of Killal Nao. What could make the murderous volus loyal to his cause? And what was Zack's cause, anyway? TIUO had not been in touch. When TIUO finally called in those favors, what would they be?
After a few days, it was time to leave Eos. They still hadn't chosen the ship's name, but they had time to do that. What could be done in the meantime was the actual Pathfinder-assigned mission of planet scanning. Besides, maybe TIUO would feel compelled to speak if they were in the middle of nowhere.
A few scans in, Zack noticed Killal Nao watching something on his omni-tool. Killal wasn't watching just anything – he was watching something a bit risqué. Off putting, maybe, but potentially his path to loyalty?
"Whatcha watchin', Killal?" Zack asked.
"Oh, nothing," Killal nervously replied as he rapidly closed the omni-tool interface. Busted!
"Come on, we're all friends here."
"Fine. There's this volus model, Gehtyu Fof. Isn't she just, the hottest thing ever?" Killal replied, as he turned back on his omni-tool interface. It had just a still image of a volus. The Volus's suit was pink camouflage and with a large pink bow behind her head.
"Whatever works for you, Killal," Zack said boredly. Volus were not his area.
"I would give anything to have volus fun times with her," Killal announced.
"Anything, you say?" Zack asked, pondering. Was this the path to loyalty after all? A pink Volus that Killal watches on the omni-tool? "And what would anything imply?"
"I'd actually think about being loyal to your damn cause," said Killal.
At this, Zack immediately looked her up on the omni-tool. It turned out she was having a convention in a couple weeks on the Nexus. Loyalty was the mission, and Gehtyu Fof was the key.
Back on the Nexus, a long line of volus were standing in front of a convention room. Actually, it was a long line of volus and Zack. He stuck out like a sore thumb. A passerby or two were seeing Zack in that line. This wouldn't end well.
Soon, Sara Ryder walked up to him. She crossed her arms, and began to laugh.
"I knew you were a man of certain tastes, Wolfe, but this is not what I had in mind!" Sara said.
"This isn't what it looks like, Sarah," Zack replied.
"Look Wolfe, I understand that you're a sad, lonely man, but this is too far," Sara prodded.
"That's not why I'm here, Sarah!" Zack said, a bit frustrated.
"Then what is it, Wolfe?" Sarah asked cheerfully. She was clearly enjoying this.
"I don't have time to explain!" Zack said.
"You are waiting in a long ass line, Wolfe! Seems like you got plenty of time to me!" Sara said sarcastically.
"Just fuck off, Sarah!" Zack said.
Sara laughed, took several pictures, and then walked away. Arrogant nepotistic hire bitch, Zack thought. What was she going to do with pictures anyway? And who was she to judge, anyway? During his janitorial time, he often had to clear stains of various sorts from the captain's cabin of the Tempest. She was no angel.
Eventually, they got to the front of the line. Gehtyu Fof was sitting behind a table, signing various memorabilia. Zack saw Killal Nao get weirdly excited. Killal got excited in a way that Zack would prefer not to see in the future.
"Gehtyu Fof! You are the coolest volus in the Galaxy! It's awesome to see you!" Killal Nao exclaimed.
"Yeah, yeah, I signed your shit, now get the fuck out of line," Gehtyu Fof replied. She didn't even look up at him.
Killal Nao began to walk out of the convention hall.
"Isn't so awesome that she told me to leave the convention! She actually talked to me!" Killal said excitedly.
"Was it really worth waiting in line for four hours?" Zack said. He was annoyed and just wanted to leave.
"Yes! I got a signed poster by the hottest volus ever! And it only cost me four thousand credits!" Killal exclaimed. Killal's excitement for this was not dying down. Unfortunate.
"Are you loyal to my cause now, Killal?" Zack asked.
"Fuck no! I want to bang her! Killal and Gehtyu, together forever!" Killal said. Uh-oh, Zack thought.
"That's not going to happen, Killal," Zack responded calmly.
"Don't piss on my dreams, Wolfe!" Killal retorted.
"Parasocial bullshit isn't a dream, Killal!" Zack said.
"Do not piss on my dreams, Wolfe!" Killal shouted.
Oh no, Zack thought. How would he secure the loyalty of Killal now? The loyalty of his squad was essential to his mission. Given, his mission at this time was scanning planets which he was putting off, but that wasn't the point. TIUO would have big expectations and demands, and have them soon. Killal's loyalty had to be achieved. Preferably in a fashion that got him away from this pink camouflaged volus.
Oh well, Zack thought. He'd go to his usual bar and think about it some more. On his way there, a shady Turian bumped into him. When Zack pushed the Turian away, the Turian gave him a sinister grin.
"I hear that Volus friend of yours wants to spend more time with Gehtyu Fof," the Turian said.
"What makes you think that?" Zack said.
"Because he said so. For the right price, we can arrange that," the Turian replied smugly.
"Prove to me that you aren't some random huckster," Zack said. This guy was being shifty.
"Maybe Gehtyu Fof can tell you herself." The Turian activated his omni-tool, and a hologram of Gehtyu Fof appeared.
"Hello," the hologram said, "I have heard you are interested in additional services."
"How do I know you aren't just a recorded video?" Zack said.
"Because I saw you and your horny friend at the convention. I heard you're a Pathfinder, and Pathfinders are rich. I will give you and your friend the night of their lives for fifty thousand credits."
This volus had no idea what she was talking about. Pathfinders were prestigious, but by no means rich. Regardless, he humored the suggestion.
"I don't think a woman of your nature is worth fifty thousand credits. Maybe five thousand," Zack said.
"I sell bath water worth five thousand. No deal," Gehtyu Fof said arrogantly.
"I'll consider your offer, then," Zack lied.
"See you soon, cutie!" Gehtyu said flirtatiously, and closed the hologram. The Turian then walked away.
This situation was now a lot more complicated. Was Killal's loyalty worth fifty thousand of Zack's credits? No. Absolutely not. But was Killal's loyalty worth fifty thousand of someone else's credits? Maybe. Zack returned to his apartment. Maybe he could move into one that wasn't a tiny efficiency apartment soon.
Just then-blinking on his omni-tool. It was TIUO! Maybe TIUO would be willing to spend the credits to buy Killal's loyalty.
"Hello Wolfe. Our sources tell us you've acquired a pitiful excuse for a ship," TIUO said. TIUO was getting straight to the point this time.
"How do you know about that, TIUO?" Zack asked.
"We have a multitude of sources on all major settlements, Wolfe." TIUO pointed out. TIUO had a thing for pretending to be omnipotent.
"If you have all those sources of intel, why do you need a Pathfinder?" Zack asked.
TIUO did not answer. The quietness was awkward.
"TIUO, I need a favor," Zack said to break the silence.
"What do you need?" TIUO said.
"I need fifty thousand credits," Zack said. He tried to sound persuasive, and probably wasn't pulling it off.
"Why do you need fifty thousand credits? You were just allotted an enormous sum for your ship," TIUO replied.
"Yes, and that's done. But I need fifty thousand credits for Killal's loyalty," Wolfe said.
"Killal is not worth fifty thousand credits," TIUO replied dismissively.
"What I am I supposed to do then?" Zack asked. He was truly lost if he could not figure this out.
"Either use your charm to change Killal's mind, or come up with the money yourself," TIUO finished.
TIUO then hung up. Zack sighed. He was pretty screwed. Again. He looked at the door. No lady this time. What a shame. This TIUO factor seemed to be having depreciating returns.
The next, Zack went to Pathfinder Hall. On most of the screens in Pathfinder Hall, Sarah Ryder had uploaded pictures of him waiting in line for the convention. What a bitch. He walked up to the meeting table. Sarah was there.
"Now that you've met your fantasy woman, are you going to go back out into the field and finish those planetary scans?" Sara asked.
"Not quite, I've still got more work to do," Zack answered casually.
"Any other camgirls you need to visit before you go out exploring?" Sara followed up.
"Can't you just mind your own business?" Zack said.
"Yeah, I've been looking into some smuggler's operation. High profile. Supposedly moving tens of thousands of credits per month," Sara said, probably just trying to change the subject.
At this, Zack turned towards her. "Really? Where at?"
About a week later, Sara led a team to hit the smuggler's base. There were a few squatters, but other than that it was abandoned. There were no smugglers, no records, no signs of violence, and no items being smuggled. The smugglers had evaded her again. It wasn't the first time, so Sarah took no surprise to it.
Zack, coincidentally, was satisfied with himself. The smuggler's gratitude was lucrative. He now had the money to buy Killal's loyalty. He called back up the Turian contact, and arranged the meeting.
A few hours later, Killal left Gehtyu's apartment. Zack had been waiting outside.
"So, what did you think?" Zack asked.
"That was the most boring and underwhelming sex I've had in my life," said Killal. "She was so lazy and vapid. I can't help but to wonder how I didn't see it before."
"Well, now you have. I expect your full loyalty to the mission," Zack demanded.
"Granted," said Killal.
Mission accomplished.
