Was there anything else they needed from them? If Ezrael was honest, he surely was interested in whatever goods Auxesia might be able to provide. Fuel, repair materials, energy cells, maybe even food, although he was more afraid of the latter coming with a hook. Trust was to be earned first. "We've learned to be resourceful, Hunt. I believe our deal covers everything my ship and my crew could require from you. Although I'm slightly curious how you maintain yourselves down here on Elgin," the Curacaoan admitted and smirked at the what he would call a cyborg. "You probably have some hydroponics down here or do you fully rely on importing food from somewhere else? I don't believe Elgin offers any native food sources except for maybe water?"
Hunt shrugged. "Self-sustainability was a trait we were forced to develop in the earlier years of our existence. A nomadic fleet isn't the most reliable location to receive deliveries from food companies. So, some unnecessary or unused sections had been converted into hydroponics and automated farms on some of our vessels." He went on to explain. Hunt shifted again in his seat. If his body language was any indication of why, it seems as though he was frequently uncomfortable.
"We took that lesson to heart and carried it down here. Partially because food can be expensive and allowing outside contractors to know our location or even remotely close to where we might be is a security risk that we can't afford." Hunt paused. "... And partially because the surface has a hard time sustaining life due to the extreme frigid temperatures. Though surveys indicate small forms of sea life well below the ice in the earliest stages of evolution." He finished, leaning back into the chair.
As a biologist, that peaked Ezrael's interest, but he refrained from showing it. Auxesia most likely had a different focus than catalogizing poecilia reticulata and opisthoteuthis adorabilis. And him refering to them being in the earliest stages of evolution could also have been implying there were mostly just microscopic lifeforms like tardigrades, mites and crustaceans. "I guess you don't get to eat much meat, then." He glanced at Raven for a moment, then back at Leviathan, smirking more inwardly. "As in, livestock. But I guess you don't have many human bellies to feed here anyway, looking at the amount of drones I've seen so far. I take it most of your ships and other assets are maintained by robots. Doesn't surprise me you're trying to maintain friendship with the Hackers and from what I've seen the AIs of Gammu."
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The Keeper long stood by the window, glaring out for the majority of the meeting, seeing how her partner had most of it handled. She looked to her side to eye briefly over her shoulder, then turned slightly to her left to look at Vertiga,
"We try not to disturb the eco-system here as much as possible. I suppose that is one benefit to having a different species within our populace, food... It is an option to grow synthetic meat to help keep us fed. My partner has precisely got it on the head, the security isn't good enough for completely open trade, we still get some from our allies and trading partners. Everyone has an opportunity to eat through a token system. Mind you, the automated populace does require their own upkeep too."
Sighing, glaring out the windows again to take in the scenary.
"I'm not entirely sure that the Lane Hackers truly approve of our synthesis, in some ways, it makes them similar to the Xenos, they are both different kinds of xenophobia. As long as we don't have more worthless wars to fight, I'm happy with where we are. Even if they opposed us, we'll stand for what's right - which is multispecies righ, we won't be pushed around. Either way, we try to make any guests from Gammu to behave - this isn't a rest point for raiding, although all visits have been peaceful so far."
She takes her mask off and clipping it to her belt, turning around to face Vertiga, revealing her slightly scar riddled face with a small smile,
"How do you feel about that? Us living in harmony with aliens? Does it weird you out?"
What was the possible gain from asking that question? It was a question he expected Leviathan to ask him. Instead it came from her, with her mask off. She probably knew from previous encounters that he enjoyed the sight, even with the few little flaws caused by life's up and downs. Smirking at the thought of said ups and downs, he replied. "My crew consists of people from all over Sirius, including four cats and a puppy," Ezrael told her with a lopsided grin. "I've learned that being an asshole is independent from skin color, language or gender. Not even necessarily related to your faction. While I know it is not that simple with the sentiences of Gammu and the Nomads, I've spent enough time in the Omicrons to see various forms of them. Some are assholes, some are not."
He sighed, then chuckled. "We've stopped fighting the nomads. There is no point in fighting something you can't kill. They stopped firing at us as well. Sometimes the Apahanta moves through Delta or Kappa and they just fly next to us. It looks like a jovial dance, and I like to think it is. No matter if or if not, they stopped shooting us. I won't consider them friends because of that, surely not, after all the trouble I've gone through because of them, especially after them having infiltrated my ship to take it hostage for a short time, which we only survived by sheer luck. Nevertheless, if neutrality can be achieved, I'm the last person to deny that, and if a peace is possible between mankind, AI and Nomads, in a way that doesn't mean you have a parasite clinging onto your spine, then I'm fine with that," he explained, mostly looking at Raven as he spoke. "I am, however, realistic, and things haven't stopped being dystopian all over Sirius. Now even Curacao is part of the dystopy."