The man before me was tall. Nearly reaching the ceiling, wide too, taking up nearly the whole hallway. The team of guards behind him looked competent and on edge. He had a cape that covered his form, his eyes glaring down at me were oppressive. Naturally, it was nothing to me, especially not after my little session. If anything, I wished for a fight. Anything to bury that moment of weakness under proof of my own strength. I rolled my shoulders, folded my arms and glared back.
The minutes stretched, both of us ignoring the mayhem behind me. The longer we stared the more I felt those around us stop to stare and gawk. My face perfect for the stare down, my natural pissed off look setting the perfect mood, even if I found this fun. I felt my tail coil and twist in anticipation of a fight, my heart slowing into a good rhythm like a car waiting for the starting gun.
I could almost feel it. Our clash would be legendary. I could almost see the station in a wreck, the two of us battling. The force of our blows creating shockwaves. I could smell the blood, the death. I was anticipating it, my blood though calmed from the previous fight began to heat. My face slowly morphed into a bloodthirsty grin.
My temperature shot up, I was burning, and I could see that glint in his eyes, as he too smiled back, baring his teeth. The moment felt like two wild animals meeting in the wild. I felt like it would come to blows at any second. Both of us just waiting for the signal. Doc smartly stayed quiet despite knowing how bad this would be for our forces. Knowing that anything she said or did could be the spark needed to ignite this barrel of gunpowder. The atmosphere between us was charged, like gunpowder ready to explode primed and ready.
And with a single action… he defused it. He laughed, a bellowing laugh, the heat fleeing his body as a garish, booming laugh that ached my ears. Just hearing it calmed me down, I sighed in disappointment. He'd backed down. A part of me preened at having a fellow beast lower its head, but another part of me wished he had tested himself. Well, it didn't matter at this point. A fight wasn't going to be happening.
"The hell's your problem?" I asked, my face back to its usual frown. He takes a moment to stop his laugh, his teeth large and blocky, glistening even.
"There's no need to pout Captain Rettas." I totally wasn't pouting, the bastard. "I merely heard a scuffle was happening and wanted to see who had the sheer audacity to fight on one of my stations, especially with me here!" He swung his arms wide, filling the corridor, his cape flying open exposing his body.
Thankfully, he was dressed under that cape of his. His clothing is reminiscent of old nobility. His body was fit, his skin, or what I could see was metallic and silvery. I took his measure, noting his strength, and found him slightly wanting.
"I can tell you noticed. Unfortunately, I am not a match for you as I am, Captain Rettas. And it is unfair that I know you, but you don't know me!"
I actually don't care… But… I mean… he had a point.
"I am the Pirate Baron! One of the dastardly four! A Colossi, among the strongest of my kind, or so I like to think. Owner of near all Pirate bays in the quadrants of DEPP and RON!"
This guy had a lot of energy. I kinda found myself digging it though. I puffed out my chest to make myself seem bigger as I returned his greeting.
"A pleasure to meet you Pirate Baron! I am Captain Rettas, Future Super Saiyan! Ruler of all!"
And we both shared a long booming laugh…
"…I didn't realize how common this was..." Doc lamented. It was like two chunni's meeting each other! Er… Forget that errant thought. I wasn't a chunni. I was legit. I had powers. I mean, sure I called out my ability names, but there was a reason for it! I swear! And sometimes I like to make loud noises when charging up for no reason, but… but! Okay, actually I don't have a really good reason for that. I had thought it helped or something, but no, at best it helped get me in the zone, so to speak. Like how martial artists are told to yell when they strike. It didn't suddenly help me regenerate or anything absurd. It just… It felt right to sometimes yell to psych myself up. That's all…
Not like anyone will ever know of my undying shame from back on the Squidizen world. Yes. Nobody will ever know.
"A pleasure indeed! But it wasn't entirely coincidence that I, the Pirate Baron, am here! In fact, I came here to meet you Captain Rettas, leader of the as of yet named pirates!"
Oh right, he was still here.
"Unfortunately, we are still working on a name." I reply, calmer now that I wasn't defending my own actions from myself, for some reason... Maybe I do need more people to talk to? Ugh, never mind, focus. He follows by toning it down. "Indeed, names can be difficult. In fact, I came to you because I heard you may be able to help with a certain, job. If you're interested?"
"Oh? A job? Am I truly worthy of a job from the Pirate Baron?" I tease, expecting him to follow through, and he does.
"Indeed, in fact you are more than worthy. Though I can't say the same for your crew, I can rest assured that you have the might to pull off the task. And of course, the shall we say, assets."
He gives a pointed look at my scouter. I find myself curious, does he know about the doc? Well, it's not like I tried to keep it a secret. But it sounds like he may have known before we even got here. How would he know that though? Ships had internal comms but didn't have general access to the wider net unless you stopped at a station. Where they charged absurd prices for trashy connections, like hotels… And let's be honest, nearly all the paid for data was used to download porn. Or daytime dramas…
Ahem…
Instead, ships took snap shots, typically using a generalized copy of the local net to simulate it for ships. Which meant you never got updates on all those cat videos until you got into the next port and updated. Not that I watch cat videos like a loser. Definitely not. But the fact he knows means he must have heard we succeeded or at least survived and came here to meet us.
Which means… and really, I should have just summed this up instead of flip flopping in my mind, he likely knew something about that job.
"Interested?" He asked, his smile gleaming bright enough to blind a man.
"Certainly, is there food involved?" I countered, ignoring my desire to look away from those shining teeth.
He laughed. "Naturally! Follow me to the finest establishment on the station!" And as he promised we went to the swankest, fanciest restaurant on the station, I assumed. If only because of the bouncer and the live musicians playing instruments, kind of jazzy music too. Nice atmosphere, good service, as evidenced by the rapid serving of appetizers and drinks as Pirate Baron essentially ordered everything.
We even had a private room, his guards sitting just outside leaving just the two of us. I munched down on the various appetizers, he though, wasn't touching anything. Suspicious, but I trusted my awesome Saiyan physique! I also was hungry.
"You eating?" I ask between bites. "I'm saving myself for the main course." His… and how I didn't notice the unibrow until just now, wiggled to emphasize his point. "That good?" I ask. "The best." I looked at the appetizers and decided to stop stuffing myself and wait myself. I leaned back, waiting for him to start, and start he does.
"I assume you were successful in your mission? Specifically, how did Project Harbinger treat you?"
I wasn't too shocked he knew, I mean I already deduced he should know something.
"Good. We got the data, maybe something a little extra."
"Of course, of course. And the data?"
"My helmsman is taking care of the sale as we speak."
"Is he now? He was always a capable lad. Frustrating he never took up my offers of employment."
Juicy, but not my business.
"And the job?" He smiled a little, picking up an appetizer. He takes his time before throwing it into his mouth, chewing and swallowing.
"In time, but first… Were you only able to get… one copy?" He asks, his gaze hard as he looked at me.
"Nope. I made sure to get a second copy." I said back with a grin. He laughed. "And what were you planning to do with such… data if I may ask?"
I shrugged. "I figured when the data was used by whomever bought our data that someone may want a copy for themselves. I mean, we did the job, who says we can't double dip?"
"And what about triple or quadruple dipping?"
"Too troublesome. I'd rather sell it for a good amount and be done with it. Assuming of course, that the seller finds the data useful."
"A good plan…" He trails off, the main course slowly brought in as if on cue. We wait for them to fill the table and stack up the appetizers on a side table. I had to admit though, the main course was definitely better as we both began to eat.
"And what would you say to selling me that data?" I slowed my eating and watched him.
"And what exactly do you want to do with that data?" I asked as I chomped down on a chicken like item. Did not taste like chicken. Oddly enough.
"Does it matter?" He counters as he spears a strange sausage thing.
"Not really, but I don't like the idea of selling it for cheap." He laughed, almost choking on some food as he does. Only after a couple chest beats and some water does he calm down enough to continue.
"Then how about a deal then? Surely, you're not into the business of selling things yourself, right? And I highly doubt you'd want to keep an eye on the markets and news casts for the best time to sell the data? Nor do you want to have to find a buyer when the time comes?" He waves his glass about as he speaks.
No, I definitely didn't, I actually planned to thrust it off to my helmsman.
"Instead, you sell it to me, and I can guarantee you a cut of the sale, and on top of that a substantial initial price." He finished with a delicate sip of his beverage.
I chewed on that, both literally and metaphorically. It sounded good. I didn't really care about the money. So, why not?
"I can do that?" I said as I went for these weird crab leg things. Definitely didn't taste like chicken.
"Truly?" He paused, the fool, giving me the chance to stuff my face more before responding. Noticing this he grabs a bite. Only for me to answer back as he chews.
"You are correct, I was just planning to hoist it on my helmsman when the time came." He made sure to swallow this time before laughing. "I love straightforward people like you!" I preened and had my tail assisting me scoop out strange pudding stuff that somehow did taste like chicken.
"Why? Because we're easy to use?" I said with ease as a pair of skewers were held in my tail as I picked the meat and odd vegetables off it as I ate some other odd item.
He looked offended at that comment. "Definitely not! It's because people who think they can wheel and deal when they can't are insufferable! I'd rather deal with a straightforward man or woman then a person who thinks their hot shit!" He laughed again to punctuate it.
"Makes sense to me, frankly if somebody tried to politic me, I'd probably just kick their ass."
"See!? I knew you'd get it! Which is why I have to ask, you won't be making more, copies will you?"
I tapped the table, thinking. My cheeks were stuffed. I swallow. "Too much trouble… If people thought, I could magic up more copies they wouldn't stop bothering me."
He nods sagely.
"A fair deal all around. When do you want to do the hand off?"
"I got the chip on me if you want to do it now." He stares at me for a moment, his mouth full and his eyes bulged. It looks like for a moment that he wants to start laughing but can't quite swallow the unchewed food. And then decides, fuck it. He laughs spraying food all over the table. He soon starts wheezing.
"The! The audacity!" He chokes and I swear he forgot to breathe as he beats the table like he's dying.
"So, chip?" I ask as I looked over the now ruined food.
He finally calms down on my words taking a few minutes too long to settle himself. "Sorry, just, the fact you had the chip on you is so unlike what I usually deal with."
"Oh?"
"People like to play keep away, or games."
"If they're weak or not confident in their strength I can see why. You are fairly strong and if I were weaker, well, I may be unsure if you'd just go and take it by force, yeah?" I poke at something but decide it's a lost cause.
He nods at that. "I can see that, but despite being a pirate I do have honor, as do most real pirates. One of the most important currencies in the galaxy isn't coin or manpower, no, it's how much trust you have. You never know when a good reputation can save your ass."
I nod to that, inwardly aware of what he means. If nobody trusted, you how could you have dozens of different bases and be frequented by the pirates. Sure, he could have some shady dealings but… Who'd believe it? A good reputation was both a good shield and a nice dagger.
"A fair point, but I highly doubt you've never done anything. I'd be willing to bet you have some, shall we say, skeletons in your closet?"
"Mm… true, but usually I only force a deal, or even out right take it if I don't believe the other party will uphold their end. And frankly, even if you were weaker, I'd have no desire to fight you. Not often I meet an individual as fascinating as yourself!" A lie, but… if I was weaker, he'd probably have his goons beat me. So, not entirely a lie. He might still make me an offer for the chip though and I'd be willing to bet he would do so cleanly. Too much to lose if word got out that he stole something that valuable.
"Of course, I am one of a kind. Now the chip?" I press again, no longer distracted by the now ruined food.
"We can settle it after the meal, is that good?"
I nod and glance over the ruined items… Maybe another course?
"Good, now let's get into the actual reason I called you here. I have a job for you."
Soon enough the waiter came back, the Pirate Baron not bothering to explain, not until they had cleared away the now spoiled food leaving behind a buffet of desserts. I was slightly willing to forgive him, if only because of how delicious these desserts were. Chewy, crunchy, smooth and creamy. So many different tastes and types from bitter to sweet, sour and salty. It was a pleasant time. Only when we finished did he finally talk.
Both of us clearly had full stomachs. Tongues licked lips. Lips were smacked and fingers wiped or licked clean. Both of us like a pair of beasts settling in after a nice feast.
"Well, I must apologize for my earlier outburst, but I believe it all worked out?" I took a moment but ended up agreeing with him. If he hadn't ruined he food I probably wouldn't have had room for dessert. A bright side for sure.
"Now the job I have for you is sensitive in nature, but not one that should bring you immediate trouble. Do you know the Layout of our universe as we know it?"
I shook my head. "Not surprising, considering what I've heard." He pulls something from his pocket, a familiar puck, and slides it to the center of the table. It flickers on showing a revolving universe.
"Currently we are on the periphery of RON." Suddenly a section of the spiraling universe lit up until a good chunk was filled in. Likely showcasing RON in its entirety, taking up most of the lower right corner and the right corner of the map.
"Next to RON is DEPP." Just next to it another chunk of the universe was divided. DEPP was smaller, taking a portion of the southern part of the map. Leaving a majority of the left-most part uncolored. "Followed by REECE and CHET." To the northern sector was a golden hued chunk for REECE, whereas an almost blob of black for CHET seemed to dye a majority of the central map.
"RON is a senatorial government, Officials are elected within their designated sectors and from their they elect one of themselves to be the speaker to lead. DEPP is a dictatorship communist regime, REECE is a religious church state. And finally, CHET is an imperial monarchy. CHET is by far one of the largest galactic civilizations but are the most spread out. This has caused them to become severely jingoist in philosophy where the emperor is considered a god to most of the people.
Frankly the country is one bad day away from a collapse, made worse by how they act as an unofficial barrier between our half of the universe and the unaffiliated states, mainly a series of smaller empires that have yet to unite under a single banner like ours have."
Sounded like a mess as more and more colors filled the map until nothing was untouched.
"Outside our universe lay the uncharted territories. We know many stars and planets, both habitable and not, lay beyond, but we lack the manpower or resources to exploit them, but go too far and you hit what is known as the barrier. The barrier is a massive field that prevents anyone from going too far from the universe. Nobody knows why it exists, but it does. However, the universe does expand. Slowly expanding space and bringing with it new planets and worlds. This is why pirates often start colonization of new worlds, primarily to get away from the current systems. Now, with that out of the way, the job."
Good, I was getting bored… Even if it was slightly interesting.
"Your job, or more specifically your crew's job. Is to destroy or capture this."
A picture shows up, a massive ship.
"This is a War Tier capital ship that has recently been finished. Its owner, CHET, the ship in question was actually contracted to another nation to be built. The ship itself is a small part of a worrying upscaling of War tier production the empire has shown in the last few years. This being the most blatant disregard of the galactic councils' laws."
That last bit sounded important, but… Messing with a big empire sounded fun.
"You and your fleet are one of many pirate fleets and crews that have been contacted for what can be considered a mass harassment campaign. The job itself entails the complete and total destruction of the capital ship. An easy task considering it only has a pair of frigates as an escort, and the capital ship itself should be fresh from the docks. Which means none of its weapon systems or security systems are currently active. Nor is it fully manned.
Normally such a task would be given to a fleet with a ship capable of blowing up the capital ship, or with a team able to bring enough ordinance to blow it up, but my sources tell me they have a reason to believe you can do it yourself. And I'm inclined to believe those reports based on this short meeting with you."
"Is it just destroying the ship?"
"Yes, but… If you have what I think you have, you may be able to… shall we say, repatriate it? Assuming you have that capability."
Wait… "I can take it?"
"Only if you think you can. We assume a sizeable escort fleet is two or three hours out, but they may be delayed by the campaign that is planned."
"And what if the information is leaked?"
"It most definitely was, but… There isn't much CHET can do when all the universes' pirates are being paid unofficially to hit every possible target. CHET has only so many men and ships, despite their extremely strict policies."
This was a very nice offer… But, "What if I don't want to?"
"Then I suppose I don't have anything else for now, in fact jobs may dry up in the next few months from what I hear." He nonchalantly shrugged. As if it wasn't a big deal if I took it or not.
Which makes sense… Most of the good jobs would be given to reliable groups, not to a small slapdash crew of newbies. Even if they are made of veterans, I doubt the powers that be would care about us or think we can pull it off. Rather, someone, or a group of someone's seems to think we have the capability I know I have.
Blowing up a ship like that would be tiring, but possible. A few well-placed hits and bam! Especially if I can get inside the ship. I had to think about this, discuss it with the Doc and the crew.
"Do I need to let you know now?"
"No, in fact I would suggest you talk with your crew about this before agreeing."
"Then I'll do that and have my helmsman send you my reply."
"Sounds good, I hope to hear good things from you Captain Rettas, future Super Saiyan." I could tell he didn't fully understand what it meant, but it wasn't hard to tell it was important. He didn't extend a hand to shake, merely bowing slightly. He turned to the door and opened it, a few more seconds passed as I gave him an odd look, a man came in and walked up to me, "You can give him the chip, he'll authenticate it for me, and I'll have the money transferred. I also took the liberty to pay the bill, so feel free to stay in here as long as you want and, graze if you will." A final bow and he leaves. Leaving me alone with a table full of half-eaten desserts, perfect brain food.
"So, what'd you think Doc?"