You both know each other in some capacity. Remember Halifax? I also have known both of you individually for some time and I promised I'd get in touch if something would come up that would need your involvement or may simply prove interesting to either of you. Quite frankly I don't know just yet in which category you would fit in, so I will be blunt with what I'm asking.
This is scout work as long as something else doesn't overcomplicate things. There are two locations I'd like you to gather information on. Preferably over a longer period of time but consistently. For short this is your time to become like those fancy Order spooks you run into. But you don't do it for some delusional prophecies or a misguided sense of justice. You do it because it benefits you and the truth is better told by those who don't have a crazed House to answer to.
Anyway...let me know if you're interested. We can talk more sensitive details in person over a glass of whiskey or rum.
"Test the sharpness of your sword against another. And when that is not enough, unsheathe your cunning as the hidden dagger that ends the fight."
Fuck Cal, the hell is going on that you need me of all people?
Look, I won't sit here and say I don't owe you one, but long term or consistent recce isn't something I can promise right now, really.
[A brief pause and a hesitant sigh came before she continued to speak.]
Look, if it's not immediately urgent I might be able to at least get an initial recce and some sort of idea of what Bonito might be dealing with if he's up for it, but I still have my hands full with the Reg' and Aspen. May just be able to slip away just to get a briefing at the very least though.
Let me know if you have time for that talk today, as I've nothing going at the moment.
P.S. I still haven't touched a drink in four years.
Hello? Hello? Senor Caliban, it has been a long while do you copy? Fuck reception sucks here, here goes nothing!
How have you been old friend? Still trying your hardest to die? I have been wandering the Omegas for a while helping out Zoners, so I don't die of starvation but they uh ... lack ambition. Escorting them around isn't really the type of fun I'd consider in the first place, but pays well. Let me know what you need, where and when. You can always count on me.
Good to hear from you both. Too bad circumstances have changed in the meantime. The original job is still available and all. We can still discuss it, but right now something else took priority. It's this. Reb, you know him. Dumb as a rock sometimes and prone to do something to piss someone, somewhere off. And you, Bonito, helped me out once to escort the dude to safety once. Either way...
Hunt him down.
There's going to be a little twist, though. Claim the initial bounty on his 'kill', but I will add an extra 300.000 Credits to catch him alive and relatively unharmed. Deliver him to Barrier Gate one way or another.
You should be able to make up an idea of why I want this done by you, and less by me. If not? take a look at who wants him gone.
That's all for now. Good hunting I suppose.
"Test the sharpness of your sword against another. And when that is not enough, unsheathe your cunning as the hidden dagger that ends the fight."
Cal, I wish I could say this was news to me but I can't, and for obvious reasons you already know I have to ask what happens on Barrier Gate?
Actually, fuck it while we are it why in the bloody hell would you ask me to do this one, Cal? You know exactly the road I've been down with him, why spring this one on me!?
I'm asking you to do this, because you've got the background for it - you know him better than I do. And because in one way or another we still care for that dumb idiot. So if you care as much as I do, then you will try your best to get him. Destroy his ship entirely after you get the pod.
As for what will happen on Barrier Gate? Well, as always I'll pitch in to save his skin. All in all he will be alive. I'm asking you to trust me with this one.
But...as things are right now I suppose I should also let you know that you can step out of this. Let me and Bonito deal with it in the end, but if I do it will be worse.
"Test the sharpness of your sword against another. And when that is not enough, unsheathe your cunning as the hidden dagger that ends the fight."
[An irritated scoff marked the beginning of the message.]
Aw, bloody hell, Vincent, that's precisely why I know this little plan of yours will go bollocks up. If you want to help, just talk to him; if he says no, leave him to figure this out by himself, and at that point, whatever happens isn't on you or me.
But I'm telling you now, you come at him with force, and he'll panic and get scared, and that means the risk factor goes up considerably. Do I need to remind you what happened at Ames? This is a terrible idea, and furthermore, the fact you're reaching out to me tells me you either haven't tried talking to him or that you have and this is your first instinct after he didn't agree with whatever you have planned. And while I'm not going to sit here and get extremely judgemental and all, but this was the exact type of shite that Raven pulled, the exact same kind of shite that caused the massive rift there to this day.
And then you ask me to trust you while you are simultaneously asking me to jeopardize the major principle I live by, and the same one I consistently applied to my relationship with him by stripping him of his choice?
No, Vince, I can't do it, and I can't even try to talk to him unless you actually fill me in on what happens at Barrier. Not vague half-truths, actual details; otherwise, I'm out.
It's your call, but believe me when I say that if you come at him hard and fast to try to take him against his will, It'll end fucking bad and probably bloody. I've already seen that one happen plenty of times.
Just...
[A sigh, her voice cooling off, she clearly still feels something.]
If you do ahead on this without me, please don't go rushing in like a stubborn bull and make the next nightmare for him, alright? Because you'll have to deal with that nightmare later down the line, and this just isn't worth all of the trouble or blood anymore from rushing off when history shows us just how much blood and mess has been caused by everyone being stuck in their own bubbles, arrogant and so bloody certain that they are right about anything and everything.
Please, just slow down and think about this one, Vincent, and not just for Laz's sake, but for the sake of yourself too. I know you believe you're doing the right thing here, but just slow down and think about it from his side.
Do something Raven wouldn't, and maybe you might come up with a better solution along the road, but don't go robbing Kris of his freedom if you can't. I really don't want to see a repeat of Ames, and I know you'll hate yourself for it if that happens as well.
So...
[Another sigh comes before faintest sign of pain leaking through into her voice becomes audible.]
just let it be, if he doesn't want your help, there is nothing you can do. But you offered, and that means you didn't break or fail on any promises.
In normal situations I would go on a limb and try to talk with Laz. This isn't one of those times. I'll tell you why, but not over the Net. Maybe then you'll see what I'm going for, and why this is the right thing to do despite appearances.
Visit Coronado when you have the time. The ramen there is great.
"Test the sharpness of your sword against another. And when that is not enough, unsheathe your cunning as the hidden dagger that ends the fight."
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