Lunar Conspiracy

Deals and Exchanges

Tava settled down in the chair Virillus motioned to and tried to relax.  It wasn't easy, what with being in the middle of the assassin's den.  But Virillus had been very clear that for as long as Tava and her crew were guests, no harm would come to them.

"I'll get right to the point."  Virillus crossed one leg over the other as she sat back in her seat, looking fully at ease and yet poised for motion at the same time.  "I'm sure you've seen the sea of black absorbing this planet?  They might look fairly harmless but they can consume a person in minutes.  And an entire town in hours.  We lose people every night, but the lure of the Mercenary Guild and the Assassin's school keeps too many of the market folk here.  If we leave, they will either follow or find a safer place to peddle their wares."

Tava frowned.  "You want me to help with the evacuation?"

Virillus shook her head.  "Most, if not all of them, can pull up roots on their own.  What I need you for, is because you seem to be in possession of a rather gorgeous battleship.  My eyes and ears tell me you've already offered a rather influential position to the mercenaries.  I have an influential place of my own I've had my eye on for a while now.  The only thing standing in my way, is the ancient automaton safeguards put into place around the planet's atmosphere.  If you can get past them, and down to the surface, there should be a kill switch.  After that, I'm sure we can find someone with the skills to reprogram the automatons for me."

Tava relaxed a little more, the tactician in her already working out the logistics and what all would be required to pull this mission off.  "As it happens, I've got a hacker in my crew who would probably be delighted to handle the reprogramming for you.  In exchange for a little information."

Virillus smirked.  "Information.  Not a pledge that my assassins are forbidden to take up the contract on your life?"

"I assumed that came along with the first favor."  Tava couldn't help a smirk of her own.  "Getting onto the planet is the first deal.  You get a planet and I get immunity from any you claim as yours.  The second deal is the reprogramming of whatever we find down there to answer to you instead of whatever previous orders the automatons had in exchange for whatever answers you can find me on what Hask has planned for my husband."

Virillus sobered, regarding Tava for a long moment.  "I see.  This isn't just a rebellion for you, is it?"  She smiled again, continuing without waiting for Tava to answer.  "You have a deal then.  You and your crew shall be safe from my children, and my eyes and ears will stay wide open for any news of your husband's whereabouts.  Just keep in mind, I am not the only one leading an assassin faction in the universe.  Don't come crying to me if someone takes a shot at you."

Nodding, Tava agreed.  "I know.  But the less people waiting behind bends and down dark alleys the better."

Virillus smiled.  It wasn't quite so scary this time around.  "In that case, get some rest.  I'll give you the coordinates and what intel I have on our new home at dawn."

~ ~ ~

Bright and early the next morning, Tava rolled out of bed and got dressed.  Then she was striding down the hall to Kartk's room, wanting the warrior along to help with battle plans as Virillus gave them the specifics of their next mission.

Tava rapped her knuckles against the door to Kartk's room. She cocked her head in confusion when she got no response. Perhaps he was just deeply asleep? She knocked a little louder. Nothing. She glanced both ways down the hall, beginning to worry.

She decided to check with Jornea before calling the manager to open the door. The young pilot had been with Kartk last. She should know if he had gotten back to the assassin's base last night. Tava moved down to Jornea's room and knocked.