"Loud and Arrogant: Hello, Zack Wolfe, Captain of the Vagabond and Guildmaster of the Privateer's Guild. Have you come to swear fealty?" an elcor said from in front of the throne.
"Pardon me, who am I speaking with exactly?" Zack asked.
"Loud and Offended: Captain Wolfe, I am Rektmuk, King of the Heleus Cluster," Rektmuk said.
"King of Heleus? I wasn't aware. I haven't heard of a King of Heleus," Zack said.
"Loud and Commanding: You will respect my authority peasant. I am King," Rektmuk said.
"And how would you ask that I respect your authority, Rektmuk?" Zack asked.
"Annoyed: You will refer to me as 'your Grace,' peasant," Rektmuk said.
"Well then, your Grace, how do you view all these areas that do not view you as King?" Zack said.
"Indignant: They are treasonous and rebellious provinces. They will recognize the Crown or be destroyed," Rektmuk said.
"I guess they got a lot of recognizing to do, then," Zack said, sarcastically.
"Arrogant yet Insecure: You will watch your tone, peasant. Are you here to swear fealty as the Count of Lucre Station?"
"What would that involve?" Zack asked.
"Boastful: You would pay me taxes and be under the protection of the crown," Rektmuk said.
"I think I'll have to give that a pass. I need all the money for the Guild and the station," Zack said.
"Angry: Are you in rebellion against the Crown?" Rektmuk asked.
"I wouldn't say that. I just think Lucre Station is too far away for the Crown to protect," Zack said.
"Inquisitive: Then why are you here, Captain Wolfe?" Rektmuk asked.
"I am here for two reasons, your Grace. I am looking for someone, and my organization would like to trade with your Kingdom," Zack said.
"Dismissive: Who are you looking for, Captain Wolfe?" Rektmuk asked.
"A friend of mine referred me here. I've heard there was a Biotic Elcor in your Kingdom," Zack said.
"Grieved: I know the Elcor you speak of, Captain Wolfe," Rektmuk said.
"And where would this Elcor be, your Grace?" Zack said.
"Intensely Grieved: The Elcor is my son and heir, Prince Rektton, and he is captive under the usurper Tann," Rektmuk said.
"If I am able to get Rektton out of captivity, may I take him in as a ward on my ship, your Grace?" Zack said.
"Hopeful: If you are able to get Prince Rektton out of captivity, you may, and I will forgive the overdue taxes on Lucre Station," Rektmuk said.
"Well then, your Grace, I think we have a deal," Zack said.
That washed up douche king wanted taxes. Hilarious. Given, the people in this area were poor, but they didn't look like they were receiving much in the way of anything from their king. However, how could he get this elcor out of captivity? Negotiating probably wasn't an option – he was still considered an enemy of the Nexus, and Nexus civilians could technically be jailed just for talking to him. How was he going to get this elcor out of jail?
He decided to call the Ryders. Maybe they would be warmer this time around the bend. He opened a signal, and both connected.
"Captain Wolfe! You actually called us! I knew you would get some sense into that thick skull of yours eventually!" Sara said.
"Don't flatter yourself, Sara," Zack shot back. Off to a great start.
"So, uh, the reporter Keri ran a story saying I was having a love affair with you. It's become something of a scandal on the Nexus," Sara said.
"Why did she do that?" Zack asked.
"She said one of your crew told her about it," Sara said.
Damn it, Fuggla, Zack thought.
"I don't know anything about that," Zack lied, awkwardly.
"Tabloids aside, we have serious matters to discuss, Captain Wolfe," Scott said.
"We certainly do," Zack said.
"Why were you on the Nexus? You are forbidden to be here," Scott said.
"I had to talk to some associates on the other part of the Nexus. It was just business," Zack said.
"What business would you possibly have on the Nexus?" Scott said.
"I'll keep that to myself," Zack answered.
"Is this some work for that benefactor of yours?" Scott asked suspiciously.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Zack lied again.
"Keri wrote another article about it. You're associated with this person who goes by The Illusive Undefined One, or TIUO for short," Scott said flatly.
"Where did she pull that from?" Zack asked.
"One of your crew," Sara said, snarkily.
"It's time to come clean," Scott said.
"It really isn't," Zack said.
"Wolfe, you're being an idiot. We've known about this guy for some time. He's a killer. You are being played," Scott said.
"Says the idiots who work for Tann," Zack replied. Tann and TIUO were both a pain in the ass, but TIUO spoke far less often. Small blessings.
"Tann is an idiot but he's legit. Legitimate is a good thing," Sara said.
"Didn't work out for me," Zack said.
"We can get your legal issues worked out, if you work with us," Scott said.
"My legal issues? Your dumbass boss signed a death warrant for me! That's a little more than a legal issue," Zack said.
"Look, we've had a bunch of clashes and misunderstandings. We need to put those behind us and work towards a greater goal," Sara said.
"And what goal is that?" Zack asked.
"The reunification of the Nexus," Sara said, cheerily.
"I didn't know you planned to surrender to the Second Nexus Rebellion," Zack quipped.
"That's not funny, Captain Wolfe," Scott said.
"How do you plan on dealing with the Second Nexus Rebellion?" Zack asked.
"That's classified," Sara said smugly.
"Right. Speaking of which, I need a favor," Zack said.
"Why would we give you anything?" Sara said.
"You tell me. I'm sure you can think of something," Zack asked.
"We want you to take your fleet and blockade the Second Nexus Rebellion," Scott said.
"Not a chance. I have interests there for now," Zack said.
"Wolfe, they are traitors," Sara said,
"Technically, so am I. Remember? Regardless, I have business there for now," Zack said.
"Why 'for now'? What do you mean?" Sara said.
"I have a mission I have to complete in that area, and lucky for you, I actually need something from you," Zack said.
"And what would that be?" Scott asked.
"You have an elcor in captivity. I need him," Zack said.
"We have a bunch of elcor. Which elcor?" Scott said.
"He goes by Rektton. He fancies himself a prince, or something like that," Zack said.
"We are not just going to give away such a high value prisoner," Sara said.
"I didn't expect you to. But I do expect you to hand him over to me, in one way or another," Zack said.
"He's locked away, pretty securely, and monitored closely. You're not getting him without official approval, and official approval would require something substantial," Scott said.
"I'm here to deal, then," Zack said. Were the Ryders actually willing to do what they were supposed to do? He started to take a sip of coffee.
"We want the ship you commandeered from the Nexus Navy back," Scott said.
Zack spat out his drink.
"Hell no. Those were not your ships, and they will not be your ships. They belong to the Privateer's Guild, and the Guild is exiled. If I have anything to say about it, you'll never have a spaceworthy combat ship again," Zack said.
"Our intelligence sources claim that you are building another ship on your station. A refit. We want that one then," Scott said.
Scott was right, the Guild had starting building another ship. Turned out that cruiser he'd shot down had a lot of valuable materials, and the lower captains on the shuttles were still scouring the wreck. Still, the cruiser wreck was a tough job and the Guild combat ships were still coming up dry. The Guild had voted to use the dues to build two more combat ships to cover the ones lost during the exile. Giving a ship away was a non-starter, and the Ryders must have known that.
"I'm not giving you any ships," Zack said.
"The one thing you have that the Nexus needs is combat ships," Sara said.
"Which is exactly why I'm not going to give any away," Zack answered.
"Good luck getting your prisoner, then," Sara said.
Zack sighed. It was time to try a different approach.
"Given this prisoner's position, Tann must have had some ideas. What has Tann demanded for his release?" Zack asked.
"We don't think that'd relevant," Scott said.
"What has Tann requested?" Zack demanded.
"Tann listed a few things he would take," Scott said.
"And what are they?" Zack asked.
"The first thing was 50 million credits," Scott said.
"There's no way they could ever do that. That place is isolated, broke, and the leader is kind of an idiot," Zack said.
"Tann thought the bounty would bankrupt them," Sara said.
"They looked pretty bankrupt as is," Zack replied.
"Would you pay the bounty?" Sara asked.
"Absolutely not," Zack said.
"The second thing Tann offered was a prisoner swap," Scott said.
"Who did he want?" Zack asked.
"Tann didn't say," Sara asked.
This was not good. Zack could not go running around grabbing random people and hoping Tann would take them as a prisoner swap.
"Tann needs to figure it out, then. Any other potential trades?" Zack asked.
"Well, I don't know if we should talk about that," Scott said.
"I think we should," Zack said.
"I don't know, maybe we should discuss something else," Sara said.
"What did Tann say?"
There was silence for a moment.
"Tann offered amnesty to the Second Nexus Rebellion if they destroyed Lucre Station," Scott said.
"They have no ships. How were they supposed to destroy Lucre Station?" Zack said.
"Tann thought they could use their trade with them for sabotage," Scott said.
"I'm not letting anyone destroy Lucre Station," Zack said.
"We might be able to let the Guild back on the Nexus," Sara said.
"Nope. Not a chance in hell," Zack said.
"Looks like you're getting a prisoner then. I'll send you a list of persons of interest now," Sara said.
"I'll give it thought," Zack said.
"You do that," Sara said.
Zack closed the line. He took another sip of coffee in the room. A few moments later, Fuggla walked in.
"Who were you talking to?" Fuggla asked.
"Don't worry about it. Besides, I've heard something interesting," Zack said.
"What's that?" Fuggla asked.
"You know that reporter, Keri?" Zack said.
"Yeah, that nosy Asari? Wasn't she on Lucre station not so long ago?" Fuggla said.
"Yes, she was. And after her stay, she published a bunch of tabloid articles," Zack said.
"Well, she's a reporter. Isn't that what some reporters do?" Fuggla said.
"Yes, it is. However, she had to get her material from somewhere," Zack said.
"She did visit Lucre Station," Fuggla said.
"She did, and who did she talk to on Lucre Station?" Zack asked.
"Oh, well, I don't know. I mean, I had lunch with her a couple times, but I didn't tell her anything," Fuggla said. Her tone was uncomfortable.
"Of course you didn't," Zack said, going along with her lie. Fuggla was posing innocent, but he could tell she was guilty as sin. Fuggla's loose lips had struck again.
"So, I, uh, do you want to head to your cabin?" Fuggla asked.
It didn't take long. Fuggla was redressing herself.
"I don't want you hanging out with Eroshka any more," Fuggla said.
"I don't want to hang out with her either, but, you know, I do what I have to," Zack said.
"How do you 'have' to let Eroshka in your cabin?" Fuggla asked.
"I'm only a man, Fuggla. I can only do so much," Zack said.
"You can't stay away from Eroshka?" Fuggla said.
"Don't get me wrong, she's awful, but she has her moments," Zack said.
"She's a Roekaar shill," Fuggla said.
"True. I don't know how she has Asperiter wrapped around her finger like she does, but whatever works for him. Speaking of which, are you still screwing around with Asperiter?" Zack said. Fuggla's stream of lewd pictures of her and Asperiter had stopped some time ago.
"I don't think that's your business," Fuggla said defensively.
"It isn't, but you know, if you want your say on who gets in my cabin, I think you owe me a little transparency on that," Zack said.
"Eroshka managed to get Asperiter to cut me off," Fuggla said.
"That's unfortunate," Zack said.
"I don't think so. Eroshka was awful," Fuggla said.
"Well, I'm glad you're content with the situation," Zack said.
"At least I have you. You're mine forever, Captain Wolfe!" Fuggla said.
Zack's pulse began to speed up at that. His subconscious mind began to panic. The idea of being with Fuggla was terrifying. They were fresh off a casual screw and she was already making all kinds of demands. Maybe Eroshka really wasn't that bad. After a long pause, he decided to respond.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Get out of my cabin, I need to do some mission plans," Zack said.
"Asshole," Fuggla said. She dressed up and left.
Zack then walked over to the wall, and activated his board screen. He'd just had this installed, and it had worked wonders. He needed a plan. A scheme. Something to do with his ship and his crew that would complete his mission.
The Nexus had his new recruit. There was nothing he could do to change that. But in many ways, the Nexus administration was on the ropes. They wanted a prisoner swap, but didn't ask for any prisoner. Zack uploaded Sara's list of the Nexus's most wanted. About two thirds of the individuals on the list were within the Privateer's Guild. Zack himself was #1 on the list. Could he could turn himself in for Rektton? No, that was ridiculous. Tann would do something crazy or stupid while he was in captivity. Could he turn a few members of the Guild in for Rekkton? No, the Guild was backstab-y enough as it was. He would lose the Guild to infighting if he did that. Could he try to hunt down someone else? Where could he get someone good enough to bring Tann to the table?
A blinking light went off on the side of the screen. It was Killal. Killal was telling him to check out the news. Zack hestitated for a moment. What did that self-righteous gossiper Keri push now? Zack opened up the news. Sara Ryder had been stripped of her position and fled the Nexus. She was listed as providing aid and comfort to the enemy, because she had sent him that list of wanted personnel. She was wanted now. At that, Zack had an idea. He hurriedly dressed himself, and headed down to the conference room. He sealed the door, and called her up.
"Sara Ryder, I hear certain things are going on," Zack said.
"I'm not dealing with your crap right now, Wolfe. This is your fault. I am one of the best people the Nexus has, and now I am on the run for dealing with you," Sara snarled.
Zack paused for a bit, and decided to ignore the statement.
"Is your brother going to face accusations as well, or is he in the clear? Zack asked. Sara's face softened a bit.
"It doesn't look like it, no," Sara said.
"So he's in good standing with the Nexus?" Zack said.
"I think so, at least for now," Sara said.
"Alright. What are you going to do?" Zack asked.
"I'm not sure. I've been calling up my contacts on the colonies, and everyone seems a bit shook. I don't got anything lined up right now," Sara said.
"That's unfortunate. What are you doing right now?" Zack said.
"I got one of the Tempest's shuttles, and I'm camping out in an unoccupied system. The Tempest should be able to find me, but it would take time. I don't have enough supplies on the shuttle to last that long though," Sara said.
"Very unfortunate. How much supplies do you have?" Zack said.
"About a week's worth. Some credits too, but I don't know if I'll be able to spend them anywhere. Scott and I had prepared emergency bags every since you got kicked off the Nexus," Sara said.
"Alright. So, how are you feeling?" Zack said.
"I'm ok. I mean, I'm pissed. This is bullshit. I earned my position. I mean, yeah, I got handed the promotion when my dad passed away, but I earned my place with it. You know?" Sara said.
"I can't say I'm in the same boat, but I understand. You worked hard, and Tann screwed you over," Zack said.
Sara took a deep breath, angrily. She had control of herself, but she was fuming.
"I need you to do me a solid, Wolfe," Sara said.
"I'm not sure what I can do for you. I can't get you back on the Nexus, and I can't get anyone to negotiate on your behalf. I'm out of there and I've been out of there," Zack said.
"I don't need you to negotiate for me," Sara said.
"Then what do you need?" Zack asked.
"I need to take up residence in Lucre Station," Sara said.
