We arrived at Oasis, a colony that's been acquired by the Government of Pangea. More accurately by the heads of the pleasure district because unlike the planet, this colony does not have any obvious tier system. The only things you can find here are leisure and lodging, bars and resto, and the obligatory redlight district.
Well you can think of this as more of a lower grade Floating Sin type situation. This place caters to those who go to the pleasure district of Pangea yet lack the time to actually go there.
This is actually my first time in this colony, mostly because I make the time to go to Gold Ducks back at Pangea. We waited at the south side entrance of the colony. Celestine contacted Garner, he gave her instructions to enter at the northern entrance. He also gave us our reserved spot at the docking bay.
We docked and entered the colony. The three of us decided it was best if Nico joined us. Celestine and I walked ahead of Strife. He was incharge of keeping Nico safe, I was incharge of the knife, and Celestine was beside me to make sure I didn't lose the knife. Celestine received a message from Garner where to meet up. Strife called a cab that delivered us to where Garner is.
As the cabbie stopped we arrived at our destination. We stopped in front of what seemed to be a restobar. The guard by the entrance has the same build as me which makes me confident in taking Nico inside. The three of them walked in while I stopped to look at the name of the building. A familiar name and logo appeared in front of me, 'Gold Ducks Oasis Branch'. I grinned a little and knew from that moment Garner got the employer in a very good deal.
I entered the Oasis branch and what I saw was totally different from the Pangea branch. Unlike Pangea, this place is dead silent. The sound was enough to put me on guard. It was like walking into a marionette shop, and it's the cursed marionette shop I'm talking about, everyone frozen looking at me.
I took a few steps and saw my companions forming a line. Someone was frisking them for weapons. They inspected all of us and made us surrender our weapons. My mind drew the conclusion that this place is under a different management from the Pangea branch. Well if you ask me the security is tight for a Gold Duck branch but oh well. After I was frisked and asked to surrender my weapons I walked towards the main hall of the restobar. Celestine, Strife are on their game faces while Nico looked down solemnly.
"Hey guys over here!" I heard the familiar voice.
We saw Garner waving his hand with a drink on the other. Across him is what I assume is the buyer, from the look of it he is a Prozden as well. He was well dressed with a thick beard and napkin on his chest. We walked towards their table.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Mr. Alfee." Garner pointed at the Prozden.
"Please, call me Martin." Mr. Alfee laughed as he chewed on his stake.
"If you say so, Martin." Garner chuckled. "This is the team that I was telling you about."
Garner introduced us one by one. Celestine and Strife broke the ice with Mr. Alfee while I was simply giving a small smile.
"Well since you're all here why don't you order up. Don't worry about the price, after all it's nothing compared to what you brought for me." Mr. Alfee said as he laughed. He raised his hand and a waiter approached and handed us the menus.
"If I have to say we are thankful to you sir. You gave and trusted us with an amazing opportunity." Strife replied.
I was shocked with how formal Strife said. Normally he would just be silent and growl with intimidation. But I guess our manners depend on how deep our employer's pockets are.
"Is it okay if I take a breakfast combo five?" Celestine asked.
Mr. Alfee nodded. Celestine ordered that meal for herself and Nico. I looked at the price and it was something I could afford. I browsed through the menu and found something that piqued my curiosity, Blanched Prozden Shark. I was about to order but hesitated as I saw the price, 15000 credits.
"Don't hesitate, just order up. After all, I paid for the whole place to be closed for a private event." Mr. Alfee told me, sensing my hesitation.
"Alright, I'll have the Blanched Prozden Shark." I told the waiter.
"I see you want to order the same thing I'm eating." Mr. Alfee laughed as he sliced what I initially thought was a steak, but a fish.
"Now then, let's talk business. I assume that they have the item?" Mr. Alfee asked.
"Of course we have it." Celestine replied and looked at me.
I took out the knife and placed it in the center of the table. Mr. Alfee smiled, he then called one of his men to check the item. The man observed the knife and informed Mr. Alfee of it's authenticity. Mr. Alfee gave a fat grin.
"Well what can I say Garner you do have a very skilled team under you."
"Thank you Mr. Alfee, I mean Martin." Garner replied.
Mr. Alfee signalled another one of his men to come. One of them approached him with a tablet on him.
"Well as we discussed. Half a million credits, with a hefty tip added in." Mr. Alfee said as he prepared the fund transfer.
As they transferred the funds our orders arrived. We waited for the transfer to complete before we could dig right in, as they finished Garner and Mr. Alfee shaked hands. A different man approached Mr. Alfee, he whispered something that made Mr. Alfee click his tongue.
"I'm sorry but I have to leave. Something came up." He stood up and shook our hands. "If you want to order more don't hesitate, everything here will be on my tab." Mr. Alfee added as he left the building. Everyone of the 'customers' walked out and followed him.
Garner smiled. We all did. Garner waited until everyone cleared out except us. He immediately split our share of the profits as we ate together. After that was done he sat upright.
"So I assume that the kitten over there is the princess of Kyatto?" Garner asked as he looked at Nico.
"Yes." Celestine answered.
Garner looked at the three of us. He locked eyes with Strife.
"Strife, is it okay if you take the princess to look around the colony?" Garner politely asked as he smiled.
"You people are going to talk about me, correct?" Nico asked Garner.
"Yes."
"Then why are you asking Strife to take me out of here?"
"Because I said so. And also I think it's best for children your age to explore more places." Garner simply and politely shot down further questions from Nico.
Nico and Strife stood up and walked out the door. Garner looked at us and his expression changed.
"You're asking earlier if I could help her, right?"
"Yeah." Celestine and I said in unison.
Garner scratched his head.
"I'm sorry. But I can't" Garner spoke softly.