After leaving Mogri, Harvey transported five large crates through the Void and landed back on Xandar. His priority was to get some cash, gear, and a bank card, and then head to the bounty bar for a drink with Lacey.
Using his magic, Harvey effortlessly floated the crates as he strolled through the city. He flagged down a local to ask for directions to the nearest galactic bank. After a few hours of queuing and filling out forms, Harvey had a bank card before the sun had even set. With help from the bank employees, he also managed to snag two universal translators and two communication devices, all for just over 3,000 credits—a steal.
He tapped his right arm, and a transparent holographic display appeared. Thanks to the translators, everything was readable in Earth's language, with internet access and no language barriers. Harvey was impressed with how practical intergalactic tech could be.
He made a mental note to bring one of the translators back to Tony. Maybe it could spark some new ideas or even inspire him to build a spacecraft. Harvey didn't have any direct connections to purchase a ship, but he figured he might score one through a future bounty. That would make things easier.
Once everything was in order, Harvey headed back to the bounty bar. The moment he walked in, wearing his purple-and-gold armor and golden mask, the room fell silent. Every bounty hunter in the place seemed to hold their breath. The reason? Just an hour ago, the mission to take down the Desert Plague had been marked as completed by the bounty poster.
And the hunter who completed it? None other than Kassadin—the man they were all staring at now. A bounty that had gone unclaimed for ten years was now finished, in less than a day. They weren't entirely surprised Kassadin could make it to Mogri, as it was only 30 light-years away. With a private spaceship and a well-placed wormhole jump, it wasn't impossible.
But the fact that he had both arrived and dealt with the Desert Plague so quickly? That was terrifying. Many of the bounty hunters here had either tried to take on the mission or heard about how impossible it was. The Desert Plague wasn't something that could be wiped out with a few bombs or a fleet of ships. The deep, endless sands were his domain, and without breaching those depths, even the most destructive weapons were ineffective.
How had Kassadin pulled it off? They had no idea, but they were now aware of just how dangerous he was.
Ignoring their stares, Harvey walked over to the bar and took a seat across from Lacey.
"Miss Lacey, could I trouble you for a few drinks? And make sure you get some for yourself as well," Harvey said with a smile.
Lacey had assumed this rookie bounty hunter, full of arrogant bravado, would die on his first mission. But not only was he alive—he'd completed the mission within half a day.
Her doubts were shattered earlier when she received a payment of 5,000 credits for recommending him. The fact that Ob Mogri, the mission poster, had already closed out the bounty and paid the fees was beyond belief. Typically, when someone introduces a new bounty hunter who completes their first mission, the referral fee might be 1,000 credits if they're lucky. But this time? She received five times that.
Still in disbelief, Lacey stared at the masked figure. "Did you finish that job?" she asked, incredulous.
"Of course," Harvey replied. "I didn't have a universal translator before, so I couldn't read the bounty or understand the rules. So, I owe you a thank you, Miss Lacey. You did me a favor. Would you mind if I bought you a few drinks? Maybe you could fill me in on a few things while we chat?" Harvey's voice was light and filled with humor, extending the invitation.
The haul from this mission had been substantial. Not only had he secured the basic gear needed for intergalactic travel, but he no longer needed to rely on others with translators to communicate. He'd also absorbed enough of the Desert Plague's essence to trigger another evolution. And most importantly, he'd planted a seed on Mogri. He just needed to wait. Rek'Sai would bring more people from Mogri into the Void soon enough.
But for now, he needed Lacey to explain how to connect to the bounty network using the communication device. It was the final step toward becoming truly integrated into the universe.
"Kassadin, your invitation is my pleasure," Lacey replied, her voice a soft purr as she gazed at Harvey with a seductive smile. She had initially thought about scamming him, but that was out of the question now. Anyone who could complete a Tier 3 bounty wasn't someone to mess with.
Such powerful individuals didn't need sponsors to pick their jobs. They could select whatever mission they wanted. The best way to engage with someone like that was to stay on their good side, not con them. Xandar had laws that prevented open violence, and Lacey had her connections, but Tier 3 bounty hunters were the kind of people who wouldn't hesitate to take you out if you crossed them.
"Cherry, get us some drinks. Kassadin here is treating," Lacey called over to the bartender.
With a sway in her hips, Lacey walked over to Harvey and took the seat next to him. Her long, shapely legs, wrapped in stockings, caught the attention of every man in the bar.
"Miss Lacey, could you show me how to use this communicator?" Harvey asked, pulling up a holographic display with a tap on his wrist.
"Bounty hunters may not be the most beloved profession in the galaxy, but it's legitimate. You can always find the bounty network with a quick search," Lacey said, leaning in close. Her slim, delicate fingers danced across the interface, deftly connecting Harvey to the system.
Her proximity was almost scandalous, her chest nearly brushing against him. Every other bounty hunter in the bar was staring in envy. Many had fallen for Lacey's charms before, even if it cost them. But she knew how to play her cards right, drawing men in with her allure and never crossing the line.
They remembered their first encounters with her—getting duped out of some credits but still leaving with a fond memory. And when the mood struck, they were even willing to pay a little more for Lacey's company, to revel in her charms and enjoy a fleeting moment of bliss.
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