Hey there. I was contacted by your sister Becky about a forward scouting contract? I was just wondering if it was still available. Location, distance, destination and so on are no problem for me. I'm actually a photographer by trade and the route you're travelling has a few places I'd like to get shots of. I have some details on the mission, but I have a feeling there's a little more to this than what's been let on, and so I'm very interested in seeing this through.
Unfortunately, my rep is pretty flat right now as I've been out in the edge worlds for the past couple of years doing peace keeping work, but I assure you I have plenty of experience with combat. And I while I don't mean to sound boisterous, it's pretty rough out there, so you can have some comfort in my ability to get us out of a bad situation. And of course before that even, I was out on the front lines during the Tau War doing freelance photography so... ah, sorry, like I said I'm not bragging, I'd just like very much to help, but I don't want you to pick me over a potentially better pilot.
It's just... the way your sister explained the situation, it sounds like something I definitely want to be around to take pictures for. And don't worry, my ship does most of the picture taking work, so I can focus on the actual work at hand. I swear I'm not going to be flying around with a hand camera pointed out of the cockpit.
It's nice'ta meet'cha, Alexander - Or, d'ya prefer Soroy or Alex? Yeah, Becky mentioned she knew 'ya from her endless roamin've the galaxy, an' that ya'd fit the scoutin' bill rather swell. I'm pretty trustin've my sister's sense of judgment, so I'm happy 'ta offer 'ya a deal.
So, yer a photographer, huh? Well, that tells me ya've got a good eye fer detail. If'n 'ya make a livin' off'a picture takin' like 'ya say 'ya do, that also tells me ya've got a sharp sense've perception - Would that be a fair assumption fer me 'ta make?
I'm gonna level with 'ya - I ain't too sure what all 'ta expect with this job. 'Ta sum things up in'a nutshell: I found an' ol' rustin' out base somewhere that had a fair chunk've valuable data of a scientific nature in Rheinland. Along with it, I found a pre-Liberty/Rheinland war era model Uruz transport, an' the codes 'ta get it up an' runnin' were jus' sittin' around - like, it was an invitation'ta take the ship. Half a week later, an' I'm gettin' a hail from the Ingenuus Research Group (Zoner scientists) askin' about what I found. Supposedly, they found a cache've some sort, an' they seem 'ta need what I found 'ta get at what's in it.
More specifically, I'm gonna need 'ya 'ta scout ahead fer me while we head 'ta some specific location, with Becky hangin' back with me in a less-than-combative transport.
I can explain in better detail once we meet in space, if'n yer up fer the job. I suspect a moderate level've risk, as I feel like this may be a trap've some kind.
Fer helpin' me out, I'd be prepared 'ta offer 'ya 12,000,000 credits up front. If we run in'ta a lil' trouble, I'cn toss a few more million at'cha. Oh, an' if yer worried about bein' over-paid, don' sweat it none. Bein' a Congressional Junker alone has its benefits (Like, pirates never seem to bother me?), although even before that, I made a decent fortune haulin' fer Universal Shippin', so it ain't gonna leave me in a bind.
If'n yer agreeable 'ta the job, then I'll forward 'ya the location where we'll meet up. If an' when we meet in space, I can let'cha know where we're gonna be headin'.
Regardin' pickin' yoo' over another pilot? Well, honestly, I'm sorta low on options with such'a short notice. I will say that we'll be a decently sized group, durin' the second portion've the job. Expect 'ta see Arbiter Rick Tiltman (Current Lead of the Junker's Congress), in addition'ta myself an' Becky in her Ahoudori.
I'll be lookin' fer a response soon. In any case, it's been swell meetin'ya!
Well I'm sure glad I reached out to you when I did, a day later and I might've missed you. I'm still kind of surprised about this whole situation myself, I think I remember meeting Becky on a freeport some years ago, and occasionally on patrol. Sometimes though, the stars just seem to align like that. I'm incredibly grateful--and honestly, quite relieved--that you've decided to go with me on this. As for the payment, I haven't seen that kind of cred in a long time, so if you're really okay with it I'll resist the urge to turn it down. Just know that if my services aren't satisfactory I will return any credits without argument.
So hopefully that won't be the case, since now that you've flattered me I'd feel even worse if I let you down. But now it's my turn, and I'll just say I feel a lot better about this whole thing knowing you seem to be one of those rare level-headed people flying around out here. Especially if you're gonna be stuck flying around an old relic, since while I don't doubt an Ahoudori will be a good deterrent, you two will be missile fodder if we run into any problems. Maybe I'm just overthinking things, but I'd like to discuss contingency plans and figure out our strategy when we meet in person, since your hunch about a trap is better than assuming this'll just go over easy.
Or worse, if we're going to meet up with a bunch of people to get into some kind of old cache? Well, I'm sure you know as well as I what greed can do to people, and depending on what we could find I could see an argument breaking out over who gets what and why. I may be assigned to scouting on this op, but you should know I'll be flying a Scimitar so I can punch above my weight class a little if things get ugly, and hopefully bail us out if I absolutely need to. I'll be bringing a little something extra to help with that.
Anyways, I look forward to meeting up with you so we can talk this over. If this is on short notice then it sounds like we don't have a lot of time to plan things, so let me know where we're meeting up and I'll head out ASAP. I'm as ready as I'm going to be until I get more information, so I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, take care, and I shouldn't have to tell you this but, be careful out there.
*Airing Voice Broadcast. . .*
*Signal Origination: Junker's Town, Puerto Rico*
*Follow-up Correspondence from Sandra Carter*
Glad 'ta hear it!
As soon as yer able, head out 'ta Puerto Rico. Once yer there, seek out a place called Junker's Town. Y'should be able'ta find it by triangulatin' this voice broadcast.
It's good 'ta know yer confident in yer abilities 'ta adapt 'ta different situations. Ye'll be seein' me an' Becky in space soon; I'm lookin' forward 'ta workin' with 'ya an' appreciate yer willin'ness 'ta take this job.
*Airing Voice Broadcast. . .*
*Signal Origination: Junker's Town, Puerto Rico*
*Follow-up Correspondence from Sandra Carter*
Dear Alex,
In all the excitement the other week, I fergot 'ta take the time 'ta thank 'ye kindly fer the help. Yer a textbook example've what a forward scout should be - I appreciate 'ya lookin' out fer me an' Becky.
Ye'll find the agreed upon credits wired'ta yer account, plus a little bonus fer the unexpected tension've multiple capital vessels bein' a part've the gathering. Seriously, how the heck did an independent entity like Auxesia get so many've the darn things?
Anyways, I'll be keepin'ya in my book've folks I like'ta keep on tap.
By the way, did'ja manage'ta get any good snapshots? I know 'ya mentioned bein' a photographer; I wouldn' mind gettin' some good ones, if'n 'ya have any.
Besides the photos, I believe this 'ere deal's done. Becky was right - Yer a right good pair've forward eyes. Maybe some day, I'll see how 'ya strut yer stuff in a combat scuffle, but then, trouble doesn't seem'ta find me much.
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