The Blood Money - Freeport One Edition -

[Haste]

A smile curled around Martin's lips as he remained silent for a few seconds.

"Let me put this differently. You once served your nation. Once you're with us, you're expected to do the exact opposite. You're expected to try your best to destroy it."

"I'm simply asking you if you're prepared to do this."

[LegendOfTheWolf]

Emily tilted her head slightly, smiling.

"I wouldn't be surrounded by Reavers, having a drink, if I wasn't."

Emily took a few good gulps of her beverage before placing it down on the table again.

"Besides, I used to serve my nation. Now, I merely serve myself".

She leaned back in her chair, somewhat proud of her answer.

[Umber]

Listening to the last reply from Emily, Kacey couldn't contain a scoff.

"We always serve something. Even if we don't know about it. That's what we do. And i ain't a Reaver... Not yet."

She smirked to both and sipped her coffee, finishing it.

[Haste]

Martin finished his glass of whiskey in one gulp as Kacey spoke. "Well. That's that out the way, then," he replied to Emily as he put the glass back next to the bottle for another refill.

He turned his attention back to Kacey as he poured himself another glass of Johnnie Walker.
"And you, Kacey? What's your story? Was the Guild not paying you enough?"

[Umber]

She paused for a second, organizing her thoughts.

"They did payed well for the job.. But sitting in a base, waiting for the alarms to blare and run like a madwoman to my ship, just to bounce around in an asteroid field... wasn't exactly my calling."

Without giving it thought, she placed a small gold nugget on the table.

"This was dug from Fuerteventura about.. ten years ago. Was covered in blood when I took it. It reminds me that there will always exist people willing to kill another people for greed. And for adventure."

Noticing the stares coming from both listeners, she shrugged.

"And no. Mommy and daddy didn't die to pirates or whatever.
Pop still lives on GC, and my mother died three years ago, due to a tumor."

She carefuly lifted the nugget and eyed it, speaking to Cerulean.

"Truth is, I enjoy the thrill. I love to travel around. And I don't mind killing to get my 'gold'. Exploding some unfortunate bastard isn't personal in space. It's just that. An explosion. Did it from day one, as a lowly escort for a zoner convoy, did it in the Omegas as an expendable merc, and I will do it tomorrow if I can."

Kacey grasped the nugget and placed it in her pocket, and finally looked at Cerulean.

"So after two years, acting as a defender, stuck in gods forsaken holes, i want to switch back to the attack and start blazing first. And i know, from your work in the Taus, that is precisely what you and the Reavers do."

With a smirk, she ended:

"And for what i have heard.. You people do collect a lot of gold."

[Haste]

"That's what we do," Martin replied nonchalantly.

Sitting back, his eyes went from Kacey's face to Emily's, as if he was evaluating them both.

"I think you two might just make it through the first week."

He took a few seconds to poll their reactions as he maintained a strictly serious expression.

"I'm willing to give it a try. I'd like to see what you can do in the field."

He leaned forwards to reach for his drink.

"So, are you still willing to go through with this?"

[Umber]

Looking at Emily, she turned to Cerulean.

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. Where do I sign?"

[LegendOfTheWolf]

Emily's eyes locked to Cerulean, after a sip from her bottle, she leaned in folding her arms.

"Aye..."

[Haste]

"The necessary paperwork will be sent to your neural net accounts," Martin replied to both applicants, "Even mercenaries have to cover their asses in legalities."

He raised his glass in a toast. "Welcome to the Company."

"You'll want to get yourself some gear. We've got more than enough stored on Barrier Gate. Once you're all set: kill, kill, and kill some more."
"Do this well, and I'm sure you'll earn your color and place among the Reavers sooner or later."

With a subtle smile and a tone that revealed the next question was a rhetorical one, he wrapped up:
"Any questions?"

[Umber]

She leaned on her seat, and nodded to Cerulean.

"What are you going to call us in the meantime, if we ain't a Color yet?"