Lunar Conspiracy

Leader of the Mercenaries

Jornea's uncharacteristic burst of temper still hadn't cooled by the time they made it to the Mercenary headquarters.  Tava swallowed as she pushed through the tension and passed the pilot, heading for the large desk.  One of the secretaries shot her a glance and waved her towards the numerous kiosks and message boards as he spoke in a bored tone.

"If you're looking for someone in specific use the kiosk to look through profiles.  If you've got a broader task then use the message board and write a brief description of the job.  The average wait time for a response is an hour."

Tava gave the man a grim smile.  "Actually, I'm looking to talk to the leader of the guild.  My specific task is much broader in scope than I'm sure any of your guns for hire can handle on their own."

The man eyed her for a long moment, then finally dropped what he had been working on to give her his full attention.  "And what makes you think our Guild leader has time for every random quest provider that thinks they're important enough to talk to him?"

Tava's smile went a little dangerous.  "I think the threat of war across the universe is a very important subject."

He shrugged.  "War's aren't bad for business.  Any planet that doesn't have the means to put together an army can typically make a deal with a few mercs to bolster their ranks.  The rich and influential start getting paranoid and bulk up their security details.  So, I ask again.  What makes you so important?"

"I'm the one who's going to be leading one side of this war."

The man frowned, considering her, then slowly relaxed.  "Alright.  Follow me."  He hefted up a piece of the counter to let them through, then led the way up a staircase to the third floor.  They followed him down a couple halls and waited behind him as he lightly rapped on a big set of double doors.  "Sir?  You have visitors?"

"Enter."

The secretary stepped aside, making a gesture to invite them to go ahead, then turned to go back to his post.  Tava took in a breath and squared her shoulders before pushing through the doors and taking a look around the opulent office.  Obviously, the mercenary guild was doing just fine.  But she had sort of expected that.  What she hadn't expected was to recognize the Guild Master sitting behind the desk.

The large reptile was a grey green in color and dressed in leather, looking at ease behind the desk though Tava knew he preferred a good fight to politics.  Tava slowly smiled as the big lizard gave her a toothy grin, obviously recognizing her as well. He was quick to get out of his seat and round the desk as his grin grew, and his long tongue flickered out to taste the air around her as he approached. His growling voice hissed out through his row of teeth. "Tava Bismark."

Tava nodded once and reached out to bump her forearm against his when he raised an arm for his species customary greeting from one warrior to another. "Klix Malik. You old devil.  Is this where you've been for the past few cycles?"

The reptile rasped out a laugh, his jaws falling open to show all his teeth. "Trying to let my bounty fall back into reasonable levels. Once I hit a million credits, I figured it was time to lower my head and keep my tail out of sight. Or else lose both."

Klix moved black eyes over the rest of the party, interest twinkling in his gaze. He stalked over to Kit first, his tongue tasting the air. "Hello there little one. What sort of critter are you? Rabbit maybe?"

Kit snarled, his tails lashing. "Do I look like a rabbit to you?! I'm a Kitsune you overgrown lizard!"

Klix didn't even acknowledge that Kit had spoken. "I wonder if you taste like a rabbit too." Kit's fur stood on end and he quickly retreated to Jornea, leaping and taking the hand up she gave him to end up on her shoulder. Klix followed the small Kitsune's retreat with a predatory smile that only grew wider when he waved his tongue at Jornea.