Lucian let out a small chuckle, this pretty much solidified what he already expected; this person had no idea about the true state the Insurgency had been in when the Torment began its exodus. "News really does reach this area of space slowly it seems, doesn't it ma'am? Nah, if it did you wouldn't be so quick to consider House space 'tame', not when the full brunt of a House military is banging on your doorstep anyway." he joked, before continueing: "You're right, we're not exactly the logical choice for an evacuation, that's because we didn't intend to. We were part of the last defense, "the last hurrah" if you will. We were able to fight back Liberty while the evacuations were underway."
Lucians somewhat joking demeanor soured a he continued, the experience having been a particularly painful one. "My ship was damaged in the battle, though not as badly as most. Due to that we were a higher priority for the shipyard, we'd be fast and easy to patch up and field again. Thanks to that, we were able to get back into the fray fairly quickly." The captain took another sip of his drink, a moment to gather his thoughts, before adding; "Long story short, by the time it became obvious we couldn't hold the line anymore, roughly a month and a half after the major battle, we decided to get out and bring as many civilians with us as we could. We made it clear anyone on board would have to contribute and that training would be provided. Frankly, most were extatic at the opportunity. Evacuations had started to slow, reports of Liberty intercepting and destroying departing ships scared away all but the most dedicated shuttle captains."
With a deep sigh Lucian looked out into space, placing his hand on the right side of his coat after a while. "We left with a thousand crewmembers, including the evacuees. 856 survived the journey, In total 303 civilians disembarked on some of the few stations we passed by along the way, Freeport-5 being the most popular one. Currently the crew counts 553 members, only 124 are part of the original crew." Lucian opened the right side of his coat, showing a massive amount of lines crudely scratched into the inside. "Of the thousand people that placed their fate in me, 144 did not survive the journey. I made a scratch for each soul lost so I can carry them with me still."
A pause filled the air as Lucian closed his coat and slowly buttoned it up once more before finally adding: "As for plans of the future, the remaining crew stayed for different reasons, some feel like they have a debt to repay, others want to carve out a life together, some might, in their dillusion, even consider me a hero. At any rate I am responsible for them, so our only goal is to carve out a place in the region for us to survive and to give them something to direct their frustration at, a goal to fight for."
She couldn’t figure out what made him so amused: Was it the culture barrier or the callous end of an era in Liberty. Val appeared more stern in comparison, trying to entertain his guests' antics for the time being. The Border Worlders had different sensitivities to those born in relative comfort of the House space, wars or not. Either way, she was here to do a job, but for a moment she felt compelled to explain the full extent of danger he and his crew were not aware of.
“I do not find any of this funny. Though, the ultimate fate of Insurgency is not the topic, nor does it affect anyone in the edge worlds in the slightest. However, we've had a good share of people utterly convinced that Edge Worlds… Omegas or Omicrons, does not matter much here, are a perfect place to rebuild their powerbase in spite of their failures closer to home. Ever heard of the Coalition? The modern kind, not the ancient iteration from the so-called ‘legends’ as you’ve put it.”
She drank another mouthful of this foul liquid the Zoners call alcohol. There needs to be nothing said to confirm that she has had much better and perhaps this bar had fallen on a bad time. It should have been enough to convince Perez that it did not contain any chemicals meant to influence his decision making. This certainly had not improved her mood whatsoever.
“All this makes me convinced that besides making it out of House space, you have neither a plan nor any knowledge just where you happened to set your campsite at. House space IS tame.” She stressed it out enough, this time less of frustration and more in the tone someone would use to warn someone of mortal danger. “To give you some credit, Militaries have mastered application of violence per net weight by virtue of outnumbering us by another power of magnitude. Cruelty is applied by institutions, numbers become statistics instead of tragedies. Such will be the Insurgency itself before long to people you had fled from: a statistic.“
“Now compare it to Edge Worlds today. Let's start with the Corsairs. The locals do not fear death and it is not some boast some shit-faced pirate would claim with after help of liquid courage. You are not considered a man unless you fly into a radioactive cloud in a stripped down ship to bring back a token - a discarded trash of long-dead alien race - of your resourcefulness. Bounty Hunters, environment and sometimes Nomads themselves are the enemy. A mother will dismiss her son of blood and flesh because he over relied on a flight instrument, leading to his untimely death at the hands of Red Hessian once it failed him. They shall not retreat unless forced by their warlord, or as part of some more elaborate strategy. I would like to claim that they are at least ruthless in cold, purely mathematically manner if it weren’t for the occasional case of torture done for entertainment and as a warning to the others.”
Val seemed to know a lot about Corsairs. In fact it is likely hard to believe that such a society could exist. Corsairs were universally understood to be brutal pirates that plagued southern Sirius, Liberty’s sole practical experience with them were second hand or through testimonies of DSE workers operating abroad on foreign trade lanes and the jumpgate network. Mostly rumours and observation, for no credible authority could research their culture at the source. The only thing that seemed consistent was the now legendary sleeper ship Hispania, which accompanied Liberty, Bretonia, Rheinland and Kusari but was nonetheless declared lost in the aftermath as early Sirian exploration flotillas could not reach them.
“It just so happens Corsairs are at the extreme end of the spectrum. There are much milder alternatives but my point is: Might makes right. This is the universal truth, regardless which fits your definition of gods the closest: Sirian Credit or death.”
Lucian shook his head as Val finished describing the Corsairs. "Sure Edge-worlder. The cutthroat nature of the Corsairs is well known throughout Sirius, though perhaps not to such detail. I would not have reached out to them myself. I'm fairly confident the only reason I still draw breath while being on the receiving end of their 'hospitality' these last few months, is because of a certain mutual acquaintance setting up the meeting, as well as humoring the captain in question that negotiated with me. Truth be told I didn't even know with who I was dealing until I was already at the rendezvous. A situation which reminds me somewhat of our current situation."
He let out a sigh and took another sip of the drink before adding: "You mentioned Nomads. I think I've had the displeasure of running into those things before a few years ago. We managed to take out several before the rest just... disappeared, it looked different than a typical cloaking device. Freaky things."
With that said the captain put down his glass rather audibly, though fortunately not with enough force to break it. "That said we're beating around the bush here. The group you're representing agreed to assist with repairing the Torment if you could ask your questions to see what kind of person I am, what my intentions are. You've asked and I've answered. Your continued evaluations of being 'unprepared' and 'unknowing' seem to suggest you have some sort of interest or offer in mind. What is it?"
If this glass slam was supposed to jumpscare her or impress, it did not achieve the intended result. Nonetheless she got the point that he was getting impatient and tired of her colourful commentary concerning his low chances of making a living in Edge Worlds. She’s had her share of people coming in from the Houses, causing even greater chaos than the original status quo. Fortunately, she didn’t have to like Captain Perez one bit and that was fine.
“Yes, this is a recruitment drive. Learn your brief history, motivation and goals. My off-mark comments on your ill preparedness for dangers of the world beyond the Houses is meant to provoke your reaction, retrospection and adaptation. You will need to display it to succeed and perhaps thrive.”
In the report she brings to Order Overwatch, she will be nonetheless forced to note that Perez does not betray any distress in relation to his current plight. While she thinks it foolish to act so casually in this den of lions, those placed higher may consider it stoicism and ability to cope with stressful situations. She only hopes that it can go alongside wisdom… and if not, such acuity may be gained fast enough to prevent a cataclysm.
“One way to get Corsairs off your back on a somewhat permanent basis, as well as ensuring your continued survival in Edge Worlds at large would certainly be pledging yourself to one of the powers in Omicrons. For example the one I represent. One final thing before I reveal the final card of the play, I want to know whether you have family or significant others that could potentially be working against you. The way you put it, your family was supportive of you joining the Insurgency. Could they be held hostage against you?”
Lucians face betrayed some degree of pain at Vals final question, it was somewhat of a sensitive subject. "My parents still live, to my knowledge at least. They got onto one of the evacuation ships early on during Liberty's assault. I have no idea where they are or how to reach them, nor they me I assume. Infact I wouldn't be surprised if they assume me dead, slain on the frontlines against the Liberty Navy." He glanced at her eyes, the spark of humor he had earlier now gone from his own as he added; "And something tells me that's preferred in the Edge-worlds."
“I see. Maybe we will be able to do something about it later. For now, I think I’ve got everything I needed out of this meeting. We can drop this charade.”
She leaned forward now, both hands on the table. She held out a small, almost disposable stick that fits into most models of datapads available on the market: be it civilian or military. She put it on the table and gently pushed it into his direction until it would reach his side.
“I work for The Order. For very obvious reasons, giving out this information beforehand could’ve changed your perception of things, as well as skewed the answers if you knew who you are dealing with. While the original Hellfire Legion was someone we could trade with, relations became… much colder when they allied themselves to Technocrats. Bering branch of Insurgency had displayed unreasonable levels of hostility towards The Order, which should satisfy your curiosity concerning the extra layer of secrecy. This shard I gave you has all the contact details and encryption necessary to contact us in the near future without drawing attention to yourself.”
“Now then.” She returned back to her previous position where she was condescendingly judging Perez’s poor situational awareness in the Edge Worlds. The situation would be reversed however, she expected Perez would have some questions that she now could be in position to answer plainly and without dodging the matter at hand. “I expect you will have questions as well.”
A few moments of silence filled the air after Vals revelation, sure Lucian had heard rumors of the Order over the years serving the legion, but he had never actually met anyone from the organization itself. Frankly, he wasn't half sure he actually had believed the rumors at all, they had felt like strong tales told by drunk captains at most and convenient excuses to not properly identify incoming freighters at worst. "Can't say I've dealt with the Order in the past." Lucian mused as he took the shard. "From what little I do know, the Order is considered a small terrorist organization by the Houses but is mostly focussed on fighting the Nomads, does that sound about right?"
Lucian frowned in thought, rubbing his own chin without realizing before adding: "Are you sure your client has the ability to make repairs to a ship as large as the Torment? It's not exactly a gunboat class vessel after all. And, perhaps even more important, what do they expect in return?"
She deemed it is best to explain what The Order is, from their own perspective.
“House folks have typically already made up strong preconceptions before meeting us. Terrorism implies we have some political agenda. Such a term has no meaning here. If survival of humankind is political, then yes you could consider us so. Founder of The Order as we know it, Orillion, thinks it is best achieved through two vectors: First, neutralisation of any non-human threat to our species such as the Nomads. Second, stop ourselves from threatening ourselves… This is the controversial part I suppose but in simplest terms we do not want children to play with sharp tools ending up getting themselves all killed.”
The Order seemed to have goals that are both simple and leave some room for interpretation if needed. Yet the overarching goal is a noble cause. It is easy to imagine why a group like that would not make any friends with governments that ‘know better’.
“We - The Order that is - reviewed the data. It's nothing that we cannot handle. In fact anything that was made by or derived from Liberty is our specialty. We would not be considering this task if it was outside our abilities to do so, would we?”
She rested her cheek on one of the hands, supporting her head as she continued to talk, trying to answer his doubts to the best of her ability. She does not promise a rose garden, now laying out basic expectations of what Perez could expect.
“I will tell you what I have done myself all these years ago and what I recommend to you. If you and your crew join The Order, there will be no debt to talk about, no discrimination based on your past and as secure as it can get a place outside of Colonies that you can call home. We will demand duty and obedience, but will provide everything from basic amenities to home. It will be no different from Insurgency or Liberty Navy, in a sense that we styled ourselves after military organisations. You will fight aliens, and any human foolish enough to interrupt or worse… stop us from doing so.”
Lucian finished downing his drink as she spoke, setting the glass aside by the time she finished. "The cause seems just enough, then again I'm fairly sure even an Outcast would think themselves in the right. That said, if things are as you say and the Order can bring the Torment back to be fully operational once more, we'd have no objections to pointing our cannons at the Nomads."
The Captain pocketed the shard Val had given him and added: "I'll reach out to the Order following the instructions on this shard, though I won't be able to give a clear answer until I've seen their operations for myself. I'm responsible for more people than just myself after all."
With that said Lucian got up from his chair and gave her a small nod, saying "Thank you for your time and insight ma'am. Perhaps we'll run into eachother again if this Order thing works out." before heading out of the bar, it was time to mull things over.