“I’d rather have a line item that writes off your investment in our little heist,” said Lucifer. “That one cost quite a bit, and it’d be nice if we didn’t have to pay you back on that one.” “Oh Luci. You’re such a cute lil merc sometimes. How about I do you one better? I’ll up the initial investmen
Eva walked down the long and busy thoroughfare with slow and easy strides. Though the street market all around her buzzed with activity, she seemed much more focused on the EyeCast that circled all around her. She was wearing her usual black outfit and long coat. But unlike Helios, she wore her wea
“It’s made me realize that the Federation and the Empire are basically the same. They’ve got differences: The Drogar are a bit harsher, and the Federation is a bit more underhanded. But both nations are all about squeezing the wealth out of their own people. I mean, through every way they possibly c
“No-one at the top, ever. Just people who have needs that are provided by whoever that can. Everyone looking out for everyone else. Living for your friends and family and neighbors, never for one’s self. “It just sounds so idyllic and beautiful. Doesn’t that sound like paradise?” Eva quickly waved
Planet St Jakque, Montsoll System, House de Jardin The Ravens flashed in at the planet’s teleport beacon, high above its orbit. Both the Spirit of Amelia and the Accursed Bootlegger were scanned by planetary security, then allowed to descend down to the planet. As they approached, they wowed at th
It didn’t take long for the Ravens to disembark from their respective ships, and head towards the far end of the hangar, where the transport tubes to the surface were. But they only got halfway before a small gravity pad came zipping up to them. On it was Max, who had a joyfully wide grin etched on
“We saw the aftermath of one of his planetary skirmishes out in the colonies,” said Eva. “It was a massacre. The naval fleet stationed there didn’t have half a chance. Their bodies and their ships were scattered everywhere.” “You all saw him fight?” asked Lucifer. “What was he like? How’d his fleet
Two Weeks Later The Ravens, guided by Max, walked up the Grand Staircase up to the de Jardin High Palace. There were exactly 100 steps all the way to the top, with every step etched with the names of prominent de Jardins throughout history. The Staircase itself was almost as wide as it was tall, w