Space E-war

[Evil Eye]

"No human vermin is that important," Shifte said disdainfully.
Naz'h, in turn, said, "Whatever. Just get it going already..."

[dinoman666]

"If you'll follow me to the shuttle..." Vorhess said, turning to leave the cargo bay. "I assure you, you will not be harmed unless you make a nuisance of yourself. For example, not shutting up your second-in-command would be making yourself a nuisance..."

[Evil Eye]

Naz'h said nothing, just let a small smirk come through. He knew he could obliterate every being on this ship within minutes if he had to. He glanced at Shifte, before proceeding to head toward the shuttle with Vorhess...

[dinoman666]

Vorhess, his bodyguard, Boortis, and a small group of Blue Suns boarded the shuttle through the airlock with Shifte and Naz'h. The rest of the mercs waited on the freighter, busy securing the cargo. The shuttle headed towards the Blue Suns frigate, while several more shuttle docked with the freighter to pick up the remaining mercs. When they arrived at the frigate, Vorhess led the pirates to the bridge, and tapped on a console to open up communications with Vido. It didn't take long for a large screen on the wall to blink to life, showing Vido Santiago's face. The dark-skinned man glared at Vorhess impatiently. "What is it, Captain?" "Sir, we've secured the cargo, but some pirates found the freighter as well. They have a deal to make with you." Stepping aside, he nodded at Naz'h, silently telling him to step forward...

[Evil Eye]

Naz'h stepped into place, and started saying, "As I already told your Capta--"
he abruptly stopped, feeling his First Mate trying to message him.
What is it? he asked impatiently.
Another ship is coming to this sector. Estimated time to arrival, 3 minutes, and closing.
Very well. Be ready to leave quickly. And be prepared for a few... guests.

"That was my First Mate," Nazh said. "Apparently there's a ship heading our way, so I'll keep this short: The Corporate needs the artifact you've found, so we make you this offer; let us have it, and we will compensate its loss by letting your mercenary Vorhess here," he glanced at the other Captain, "And his lackeys... crew... join us on our raids."

[dinoman666]

Vido arched a brow, apparently confused, then laughed. "So what, I'll give you one ship to help you AND give you the best find in the Terminus Systems? I don't think so, pal."

[Evil Eye]

"You misunderstand," Naz'h said in response, half-smiling. He glanced at Vorhess. "The Captain and his crew will profit; they will get to keep and sell whatever they manage to find and take while raiding."

[dinoman666]

Vido seemed a bit more interested now. "I don't think you understand the value of the artifact my team has found. Anything you get from a raid will not even come close to matching its price."

[Evil Eye]

"Hence why I'm letting them stay with us as long as they wish, until their payment is satisfied. Let me also tell you this: others working for The Corporate will make their way to you eventually especially if this thing is as valuable as you say. Now, we, personally, would like to avoid bloodshed. The others would not feel the same..." he left the sentence hanging...

[dinoman666]

"Whoever this Corporate is, I'm sure we can handle it. And besides, if they're willing to pay for it, then that's not my problem." Vido furrowed his brow, annoyed. "And one ship won't cut it. If you're willing to enter into a... business partnership, of sorts, I'm sure we can work out an arrangement."

[Evil Eye]

"The Corporate is an entire operating government, whom you would be a fool to oppose," Shifte cut in coldly, before going silent again.
Naz'h continued, "As I've also already mentioned to Vorhess, we are trying to make more allies, and less enemies. So a mutual partnership would suit both of us.
Lastly, The Corporate will not be supplying the money, which is exactly why I'm offering to let them come on our raids, so they may sell their finds on the blackmarket. As I said, we'd prefer not to see all of your mercenaries dead, and the artifact destroyed, at the hands of others..."

[dinoman666]

"Sounds reasonable, then," Vido replied. "But tell me something... Why do you want the artifact so much you're willing to bargain for it?"

[Evil Eye]

Shifte cut in once more. "The Corporate is looking for clues to... a civilization. That's all we'll divulge. This artifact could have valuable information leading to it."

[dinoman666]

"If you're talking about the Forerunners, then you're wasting your time," Vido replied. "We have a very good reason to believe that the artifact is Forerunner, and almost everyone in the galaxy knows about them. Plenty of planets have evidence of Forerunner occupation. I doubt this 'civilization' is anything more than that."

[Evil Eye]

"Hmm," Naz'h said, in thought. "Can you show me this... very good reason?"

[dinoman666]

"Let's open up and see, shall we?" Vido replied, as a pair of Blue Suns mercs dragged the tall, cylindrical crate onto the bridge. Vorhess moved up to the sealed door on the front of the crate and typed in the encrypted password on a small keypad next to the hatch. It opened with a hiss, and glowed blue from the inside, the light emanating from a small, pyramidal structure that was a gray, stony color, but smooth as glass. It was covered in small, blue glyphs that projected the light over the inside walls of the crate. Vorhess gingerly picked the pyramid up with one hand and held it up so Vido could see it. "Well, it certainly looks Forerunner to me," the human said smugly.

[The Kingpin]

"All Vardian craft are equipped with powerful anti hacking countermeasures. should a hacking attempt be made, we should be able to counter-hack the target and take control of it" responded an electronic voice through speakers in the top of the ceiling behind Grievous...

[dinoman666]

Grievous perked up, looking around the room. "This ship has an AI aboard it?" he asked.

[The Kingpin]

"Most of Vardia's ships have an AI aboard them. with the exception of a few of the older mining and cargo ships, of course" responded Serephir...

[dinoman666]

"I see," Grievous mused. "Well, General, it's your call. Who do you want to... interrogate first?" "I would be more than happy to assist the Reclaimer within the limits of my capabilities!" Bias piped up. Lissarkh laughed. "You have limits?" "Compartmentalization. In case I was ever captured by the Flood," the little machine replied matter-of-factly.