Shades of Grey - Part 6

He nearly stopped as if he were caught off guard, but he didn't miss a beat as he continued handing her drink off and then taking a sip of his own and working towards a realization. When he walked in, he was formally introduced. The dealer he got the crystals from had no clue of his name, and yet these people did. It was obvious they were connected to the Orion Syndicate somehow, at least he presumed. While he himself had been part of two lesser, yet quite large organizations, he did wonder what all they really knew about him, and why they were interested. In the end he was a nobody, other than someone that owed the Corsairs and Black Nebula money, but he wasn’t going to make that her problem.

“My story? I’m a guy that worked hard to scrape up as much latinum as he could and buy a starship in the armpit of the known galaxy. Some guy from the fringes of civilized space and one day got a dataport.” He took a moment to maintain her gaze, wondering how much she really knew. He decided to weigh his options. If he lied and they didn’t like it, they’d probably kill him. If he told the truth and they didn’t like it, they’d kill him anyways.

That, and he had absolutely no clue where the hell he was, so he knew the cards were stacked against him the moment he stepped onto the transporter pad. He decided to throw caution to the wind and answer the woman’s question. “I siphoned off enough latinum from the Vault of Shadows to disappear and start a new life. Apparently not done well enough however. So what is it exactly you want from me? I mean at the end of the day in current state, I’m not really holding any sort of real control here, that much is obvious.”

Tiraa listened, sipped her drink, and picked at the grapes on the table. He was intelligent enough to not lie in the situation he was in where so many would have attempted to do so. That kind of admission could have cost him his life and likely would have anywhere else. When he was done, she leaned closer to him, bent her arm so her elbow was resting on his arm and her fingers curled under her chin. She smirked slightly, knowingly, and her dark eyes lidded while she looked at him. She was amused and pleased all at once.

“You know, love, you have many, many people who are very upset with you.”

“Of that, I am quite aware. But I made sure I didn’t take from anyone like the Syndicate, I know better than that. I may be a pirate, but I’m not a stupid one. It sounds like you have an intent behind all of this then? Otherwise why bring me here and go through this discussion? I’m sure you could easily take and fulfill any bounties on my head without offering me a drink and conversation.” Again, he didn’t move, but this time allowed himself to enjoy the closeness she chose to share. There weren't many women quite so intoxicating that had chosen to make such a move as of late. Even if it was the smoke and mirror this conversation brought out.

Tiraa lingered right where she was upon receiving a more positive reception than she had been from him. “I’m a very curious woman, Captain, and I simply had to see if it was you. Those flies you worked for - both sides - have been buzzing about you quite loudly for some time. It’s equal parts irritating and entertaining, if I’m being honest with you.”

Finally, she pulled back to sit in her chair properly and picked up her glass again. “So was I understanding you earlier when you said you not only don’t have a functioning ship, but you also have no prospects on contracts?”

“Functioning is a debatable term, once the crystals in the warp core are replaced it’ll be at least able to get around and pull off general jobs, but without an updated core it’s not of much use. I decided to wait on prospects until we had things put together, but generally speaking, no, we don’t have any prospects. I’m a bit amused at the thought of you listening to the Black Nebulae and any potential complaints they have, they’re nothing compared to what the Orion’s have put together.” He took another sip of his drink and decided he’d await to hear any proposal she may have.

“Of course they are nothing. A nuisance at best, and they know better than to venture too close to what is real and powerful.” Tiraa lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug. “But a nuisance can become a thorn in one’s side if not properly watched over, I wouldn’t be where I am if I simply wrote people off.”